Israeli minister to ban Palestinian organisations in Al-Aqsa

Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said yesterday that he is seeking to outlaw two Palestinian-Arab groups “that strive to keep Jews off the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque] in Jerusalem,” Israeli media reported.

The two groups are mainly running Sharia Schools inside the mosque’s grounds and organising trips for Palestinians to visit the holy site, which is the third holiest site for about two billion Muslims around the world.

AlkhaleejOnline reported Erdan saying on Israeli radio: “[One of the groups] Al-Morabiteen receives directions from the leader of the Islamic movement in Israel, Raed Salah, and this is the official Muslim Brotherhood branch in the country.”

He accused the groups of destabilising the situation in the area around the mosque. According to the Israeli Radio, Erdan has received detailed security reports from the Israeli security services about the groups’ activities.

Meanwhile, Deputy Islamic Movement leader Kamal Al-Khatib said: “This is an Israeli plan targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

The plan, according to Al-Khatib, is to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque on a time and place basis in order to get rid of the Palestinians there.

“Such plans need a serious response from the Islamic world; nevertheless, the Israeli occupation justifies the desecration of the mosque by Israeli Jewish settlers,” Al-Khatib said.

Tens of Israeli Jewish settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque almost every day claiming it has been built on the rubble of the “Temple Mount”.