The heads of the Muslim Waqf - the body that oversees the Temple Mount - listened attentively to Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi on Saturday night, and decided that his words could be used to their best advantage. HaNegbi warned that some Jews might be planning to attack Temple Mount mosques in an attempt to derail the diplomatic process - and the Muslim leaders promptly issued warnings around the world that the Temple Mount is in danger.
The Waqf called on Moslems around the world to enlist in defending the Dome of the Rock, which, they say, is in danger of being harmed by "Jewish right-wing elements."
The Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Akrama Sabri, warned Moslems that they must come to the Temple Mount to "bodily protect [it] from Israel's intentions to take over the Mount and conquer the mosque."
Following in the Waqf's footsteps, the Arab League turned today to the United Nations and the United States with a request to prevent a "Jewish extremist" attack on the Al-Aqsa mosque.
Waqf Director Adnan Husseini warned specifically against Yehuda Etzion, who sat in prison for a number of years in the 1980's for plotting to blow up the Dome of the Rock. "If Etzion tries to come to the Temple Mount, I personally will use force to get him off," he said.
Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz will convene a small meeting on Thursday to discuss the Shabak's (General Security Service) recommendation that 5-10 right-wing "extremists" be prevented from entering the Temple Mount.
Jerusalem's Police Chief said today that he would consider whether to allow Jews to visit the Temple Mount tomorrow - the day of mourning for the destroyed Temples. Coincidentally, the Jerusalem Magistrates Court today convicted Itamar Ben-Gvir and Yehuda Etzion of creating a disturbance during Tisha B'Av in 1997 when they approached the Temple Mount entrance and began the traditional Tisha B'Av reading of Eichah (Lamentations) sitting on the ground in front of the guard's post. In reaction to the verdict, Ben-Gvir said, "It cannot be that Muslims will threaten violence, and those who would pray are convicted in court." He said they would appeal the verdict.
The Waqf called on Moslems around the world to enlist in defending the Dome of the Rock, which, they say, is in danger of being harmed by "Jewish right-wing elements."
The Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Akrama Sabri, warned Moslems that they must come to the Temple Mount to "bodily protect [it] from Israel's intentions to take over the Mount and conquer the mosque."
Following in the Waqf's footsteps, the Arab League turned today to the United Nations and the United States with a request to prevent a "Jewish extremist" attack on the Al-Aqsa mosque.
Waqf Director Adnan Husseini warned specifically against Yehuda Etzion, who sat in prison for a number of years in the 1980's for plotting to blow up the Dome of the Rock. "If Etzion tries to come to the Temple Mount, I personally will use force to get him off," he said.
Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz will convene a small meeting on Thursday to discuss the Shabak's (General Security Service) recommendation that 5-10 right-wing "extremists" be prevented from entering the Temple Mount.
Jerusalem's Police Chief said today that he would consider whether to allow Jews to visit the Temple Mount tomorrow - the day of mourning for the destroyed Temples. Coincidentally, the Jerusalem Magistrates Court today convicted Itamar Ben-Gvir and Yehuda Etzion of creating a disturbance during Tisha B'Av in 1997 when they approached the Temple Mount entrance and began the traditional Tisha B'Av reading of Eichah (Lamentations) sitting on the ground in front of the guard's post. In reaction to the verdict, Ben-Gvir said, "It cannot be that Muslims will threaten violence, and those who would pray are convicted in court." He said they would appeal the verdict.