Israel destroys Umayyad palaces next to Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowments and Heritage has revealed that Israel has stepped-up its plans to destroy the Umayyad Caliphate palaces south of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israelis have also extended a network of bridges and stairs around the archaeological area adjacent to Al-Aqsa, aiming at the transformation of the entire area to provide service facilities for the so-called Third Temple.
 
The foundation asserted that “if and when Israel’s works in the Umayyad palaces are completed, this will result in the Judaisation of the entire region south of Al-Aqsa mosque under the pretext of  the “Torah Park”. This is linked by an underground tunnel with the entrance of the Wadi Hilweh neighbourhood in Silwan.

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In the same context, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein – the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque – denounced the Israeli occupation authorities for their repeated attacks on the sacred mosque, which have increased in intensity recently. He appealed to the people of Jerusalem and the Palestinian hinterland, and all who can get to Jerusalem to go there, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. He also demanded that the international community should put and end to the Israeli restrictions which prevent anyone under forty years of age from attending the mosque.