Iran warns 'Israel' against encroaching on Al-Aqsa sanctity

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Aug 2024 23:40

The Israeli occupation is proposing plans to build a synagogue within the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, sending shockwaves throughout the region.

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The supermoon rises behind the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, August 19, 2024 (AP)

Iran has issued a stern warning to the Israeli occupation regarding any actions that could compromise the sanctity of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Iranian government cautioned against what it described as a new wave of provocations from the Israeli side, which it claims are pushing the boundaries of the Islamic world's patience.

In a statement on Tuesday, Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, condemned recent comments made by Israeli officials about the future of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"The cabinet of the criminal Zionist regime is trying to implement its malicious plans regarding al-Aqsa Mosque; to the extent that it shamelessly shouts the evil intention of building a synagogue in al-Aqsa Mosque," Kanaani wrote on X.

Kanaani emphasized Iran's strong opposition to any such plans, calling them a direct challenge to the Islamic Ummah. He warned that any encroachment on the holy site could lead to severe repercussions, adding that these actions would be viewed as crossing "the red lines of the Islamic Ummah."

The Iranian official's comments came in response to statements made by Israeli extremist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday.

Call to build synagogue threatens stability: Ankara

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the recent call by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir to construct a synagogue on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound poses a threat to regional and international stability.

"The statements made by the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, regarding the construction of a synagogue in the Al-Aqsa Mosque are a new and extremely dangerous example of Israel's efforts to change the status and identity of Jerusalem and the holy sites in Jerusalem … The Israeli government's attacks on the Palestinian people threaten regional and global stability more and more every day," the ministry said in a statement.

In addition, Ankara urged the international community to act to safeguard Palestinian rights and put an end to Israeli activities in the Gaza Strip.

'Israelis have right to pray at Al-Aqsa'

Ben-Gvir, known for his far-right views, asserted that Israeli settlers have the right to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and suggested the construction of a synagogue within the mosque's compound—a move that has sparked outrage across the Muslim world.

This marks the first time an Israeli minister has openly proposed building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site revered by Muslims as the third holiest in Islam.

The proposal has been met with widespread condemnation from Muslim leaders and communities globally, who view it as a direct threat to the mosque's sanctity and a potential catalyst for further unrest in the region.

Kanaani concluded his statement by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, stating that Muslims and freedom-seekers around the world continue to support Palestine and demand justice for what he described as "Zionist criminals."

Moreover, the Israeli government has committed to financing the storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque by illegal Israeli settlers, according to Israeli media reports on Monday, marking an inflammatory first for the Israeli regime.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN11 revealed that the office of "Heritage" Minister Amichai Eliyahu, an extremist known for his anti-Palestinian stance, will allocate two million NIS (approximately $545,000) for this controversial project slated for implementation in the coming weeks.

KAN11 further reported that the "Heritage" Ministry has been in contact with the Police Ministry, led by the far-right Itamar Ben-Gvir, to secure the necessary permissions from Israeli police for the settlers' funded incursions into Al-Aqsa.

Repeated stormings

Ben-Gvir's statements come a couple of weeks after hundreds of settlers, including the Israeli police minister, raided the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of occupation police forces.

The Islamic Endowments Department in al-Quds reported that 2,200 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque since morning, marking what is known as the anniversary of the "destruction of the temple."

At the time, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine indicated that the settlers raised the entity's flag inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque at Bab al-Silsila while carrying out provocative tours inside the holy mosque.

It is noteworthy that in early July, Ben-Gvir declared during a speech at the so-called "Jerusalem Day Flag March," Israeli "sovereignty" over the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"Temple Mount is ours, Damascus Gate is ours, let the whole world know that," he said, adding, "Today, according to my policy, Jews entered the Old City freely. And on the Temple Mount Jews prayed freely. We say in the simplest way, it’s ours."

Ben-Gvir has included changes to the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque in his ministry's formal action plans. His plan aims to alter the status quo at the Mosque by taking control of the site and allowing access to Israeli settlers.