Christians and Muslims unite at protests to defend Al-Aqsa

Dozens of Christian and Muslim Palestinians gathered yesterday in front of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, south of the West Bank, to protest against Israeli violence at the Al- Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The participants lifted banners demanding Israel remove all obstacles it had installed outside the entrance to Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Today we stand in front of the Nativity Church, the cradle of Jesus Christ to say there is no difference between Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There is no difference between the gates of Al-Aqsa and the gates of the churches of the Holy Sepulchre and the Nativity,” said Jalal Barham, spokesman for the Arab Orthodox Youth Caucus.

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“We affirm that we are one people, and our history is one – Muslim and Christian, our people will not accept [this]. We will continue to fight for the freedom and dignity of our Islamic and Christian sanctities,” he added.

Follow the Live Blog: Day of Rage at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Palestinians in Jerusalem have refused to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque for the eighth day in a row to protest the metal detectors Israeli police installed at the entrance last week.