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Knesset allows members to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque

February 2, 2017 at 9:34 am

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has decided to allow its Jewish members to enter the Muslim holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque in cooperation with the police, Moheet.com reported on Wednesday. Media reports said that the Knesset took the decision after pressure from right-wing blocs.

According to the Israeli police, there has been no change in the mechanism for Jewish MKs entering Al-Aqsa Mosque the since a ban was put in place in November 2015, Israel’s Channel 2 TV pointed out.

Last October, the police recommended allowing Jewish MKs to enter the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa on condition that advance arrangements were made regarding the date and time of the proposed visit, which must be made without media coverage or any religious purposes.

A number of members of the Knesset Ethics Committee said that they agreed with the decision although they are afraid that this will provoke the Muslim worshippers and cause instability, as happened two years ago. The committee banned Jewish MKs from going into Al-Aqsa Mosque after chaotic scenes when some took part in religious activities inside Islam’s third most sacred site.