![Head of the Supreme Islamic Council, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri takes part in a protest to show solidarity with two Palestinian children, Muawiya Alqam,14, and his brother Ali,11, during their trial, outside an Israeli court in Jerusalem on January 6, 2016 [Mahfouz Abu Turk / ApaImages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/060116_MUT_00-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the brutal attack on Al-Aqsa to satisfy Jewish settlers and secure his position as premier.
In remarks to Anadolu, Sheikh Sabri said yesterday that Israeli occupation forces attacked Al-Aqsa Mosque, upon orders from Netanyahu, to satisfy the settlers, so that he would remain in the position of prime minister.
“The aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque that took place in the morning hours has not occurred since 1967,” he said, describing it as a “heinous crime that cannot be tolerated.”
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He pointed out that the Israeli occupation’s snipers targeted the heads and the eyes of Palestinian worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Yesterday morning, the Israeli occupation forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian worshippers wounding more than 305.
Netanyahu is fighting to maintain his position as prime minister after Israel held four elections in two years and has been unable to form a coalition government which sees him at the helm.