Islamic Movement head Sheikh Ra’ed Salah, an Israeli citizen, angrily attacked “the Israeli occupation” on Saturday, saying Israel was “committing the crime of destruction in the most despicable way” by continuing construction on the Rambam (Mughrabi) gate.  The gate is the primary entrance used by non-Muslims to access the Temple Mount.

Salah also spoke out against negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, calling planned meetings and talks “an evil Israeli scheme.”  Salah’s second in command, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, said Saturday that Israel would soon be replaced by a state run according to Sharia (Muslim law).