Jewish calls to convert Al-Rahma Mosque into a synagogue

Palestinians perform prayer in front of Al-Rahma Gate (Gate of Mercy) of Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, as Israeli security forces stand guard behind them after Al-Rahma Gate was chained by Israeli police in Jerusalem on 22 February 2019 [Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Anadolu Agency]

The Federation of the Temple Mount Organisations yesterday called for Al-Rahma Mosque to be occupied and turned in to a synagogue, Arab48 reported.

According to the news site, the group also called for establishing a Jewish directorate in the area, which is located at one of the entrances of Al-Aqsa Mosque, to oversee the Jewish activities inside Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

The calls came after Palestinians re-entered the Al-Rahma Gate area of Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed prayers there for the first time in over 15 years.

According to Arab48, the Temple Mount Organisations stressed on the importance of taking measures which lead to changing the identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to guarantee a permanent Jewish presence there, eradicate the Muslim claim to the holy site and impose Israeli sovereignty over it.

One way of doing this, Arab48 reported, would be to mobilise supporters to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday in a bid to break in to Al-Rahma Gate and seize it.

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