Palestinians wounded by Israeli forces in Tulkarm

Israeli political and security levels were surprised by the response of Palestinian worshippers after Israeli settlers and security officials stormed and attacked the holy site, Arabi21 reported yesterday.

According to Israeli Radio, the persistence of the worshippers at the mosque also embarrassed Arab and Islamic leaders and this might lead to increasing Western and Eastern pressure on Israel.

The station reported a source in the office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that they did not expected to see “strong statements” issued by the Arab governments, which should not have taken note of the Israeli action.

In addition, the source said that there is a consensus among Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority that there are Islamists linked to Hamas that are trying to use what happened at Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to cause chaos to embarrass Ramallah, Amman and Cairo.

The sources also said that Israel would continue enabling Jews to practice their “religious rights” inside Al-Aqsa. The source noted that Israel would arrest any worshipers who insist on remaining in the mosque.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon recently outlawed the Murabitun group of Palestinian worshipers who remain inside Al-Aqsa Mosque to protect it from settler attacks.

See also:

Defence of Al-Aqsa: A rocky present and unknown future

Israeli forces withdraw from Al-Aqsa after clashes

Palestinians protest against Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa

Hamas: Israeli crimes against Al-Aqsa will have ‘harsh consequences’

Israeli forces storm Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa, injuring dozens