Israel minister: Jewish prayer in Al-Aqsa ‘may be planned in the future’

Israel’s Internal Security and Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said yesterday that Jewish prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound “may be planned in the future”.

Erdan made the remarks on Ben Caspit and Aryeh Eldad’s 103FM talk show, as reported by pro-settler news site Arutz Sheva.

Addressing recent confrontations over Bab Al-Rahma, an area of the compound shuttered by Israeli occupation authorities in 2003, Erdan pushed back against suggestions that Palestinians would be allowed to use the space.

VIDEO: Israeli officer provokes worshippers at Al-Aqsa’s Bab Al-Rahma Mosque

“The Muslims on the [Temple] Mount smuggle in carpets and pray there [Bab Al-Rahma] haphazardly just like they can pray in the middle of the street,” Erdan said. “No one can prevent a person from praying wherever he chooses.”

“Unfortunately, there’s prevention of Jews within the framework of the status quo on the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque compound],” the minister continued, adding: “This is also something that may be planned in the future.”

Israel continue to make it difficult for Palestinians to pray at Al-Rahma Gate, one of the doorways to Al-Aqsa Mosque – Cartoon [Mohammad Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]