Israeli Settlements Forced To Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex

JAKARTA - A number of Israeli settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in the occupied Jerusalem area under tight guard from Israeli police, according to a number of witnesses.

The Israeli settlers stormed into the mosque from the Morocco Gate and carried out provocative action in the mosque complex. They also performed the Talmud ritual there, said the witness as quoted by ANTARA from WAFA, Monday, January 8.

Talmud is a ritual carried out by adherents of Jewish religions, namely Celebrating records and laws in Hebrew.

The latest incident adds to tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third most respected site in Islam.

The breach of Israeli settlers in the Al-Aqsa mosque complex has often drawn criticism from Palestinian officials and religious authorities.

The Jordanian-run Jerusalem Waqf Department is the special authority responsible for overseeing holy sites in Jerusalem, including Al Aqsa.

The department has repeatedly called for international intervention to prevent this kind of raid, which is considered a direct challenge to the status quo of the holy site as well as an insult to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

Since 2003 the Israeli occupation authority has allowed its settlers to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex almost every day, except on Friday.