The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-guest-237916">al-Aqsa</a> mosque in Jerusalem has become a point of contention for Jordan amid reports the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been manoeuvring for control of Islam's holiest site.

Jordan's fears were raised in August after the US, UAE, and Israel in a joint statement said: "All Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-broke-out-in-al-aqsa-mosque-as-notre-dame-cathedral-burned-210982">al-Aqsa</a> Mosque, and Jerusalem’s other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.”

The announcement of restoration of diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates not only sent shockwaves in West Asia, the US, UAE, and Israel joint statement further antagonised Jordan.

Amman was further alarmed after a reported meeting between Israeli PM&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi crown prince&nbsp;Mohammed bin Salman. Last month, a UAE delegation had visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli forces, a move which was criticised by Palestinian PM Muhammad Shtayyeh.

Shtayyeh said: “Al-Aqsa Mosque shall be entered through the gate of its owners [Jordanian and Palestinian authorities], not through the gate of the Israeli occupation.”&nbsp;

Jordan has been the official custodian of Christian and Muslim holy places in Jerusalem since 1924 after Sharif Hussein who started the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire was acclaimed as the custodian of Jerusalem's holy sites.&nbsp;

Jordan remained the custodian of holy places in Jerusalem even after it gave up its claim over the occupied West Bank in 1988. Israel and Jordan later recognised Jordan's role as a religious custodian after concluding the Wadi Araba peace treaty in 1994.

Amid the developments, the Jordanian foreign ministry released a statement saying: "the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and Haram al-Sharif with its 144 dunams (35.5 acres), is a mosque exclusively for Muslims, and they alone have the right to pray there".

"International law affirms that it is not permissible for occupying powers to change the status quo," Jordan said, referring to Israel. It further said that, "Israel, the occupying power in occupied East Jerusalem, must respect its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, and respect the legal and historical status quo. Israel must also respect the sanctity of the mosque, the feelings of Muslims and Jordan's role in caring for the holy sites."

The al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem has become a point of contention for Jordan amid reports the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been manoeuvring for control of Islam's holiest site.

The al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem has become a point of contention for Jordan amid reports the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been manoeuvring for control of Islam's holiest site. Jordan's fears were raised in August after the US, UAE, and Israel in a joint statement said: "All Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the al-Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem’s other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.” The announcement of restoration of diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates not only sent shockwaves in West Asia, the US, UAE, and Israel joint statement further antagonised Jordan. Amman was further alarmed after a reported meeting between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Last month, a UAE delegation had visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli forces, a move which was criticised by Palestinian PM Muhammad Shtayyeh. Shtayyeh said: “Al-Aqsa Mosque shall be entered through the gate of its owners [Jordanian and Palestinian authorities], not through the gate of the Israeli occupation.” Jordan has been the official custodian of Christian and Muslim holy places in Jerusalem since 1924 after Sharif Hussein who started the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire was acclaimed as the custodian of Jerusalem's holy sites. Jordan remained the custodian of holy places in Jerusalem even after it gave up its claim over the occupied West Bank in 1988. Israel and Jordan later recognised Jordan's role as a religious custodian after concluding the Wadi Araba peace treaty in 1994. Amid the developments, the Jordanian foreign ministry released a statement saying: "the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and Haram al-Sharif with its 144 dunams (35.5 acres), is a mosque exclusively for Muslims, and they alone have the right to pray there". "International law affirms that it is not permissible for occupying powers to change the status quo," Jordan said, referring to Israel. It further said that, "Israel, the occupying power in occupied East Jerusalem, must respect its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, and respect the legal and historical status quo. Israel must also respect the sanctity of the mosque, the feelings of Muslims and Jordan's role in caring for the holy sites."

As Israel, Saudi Arabia cool tensions, Jordan's custodianship of al-Aqsa mosque under scrutiny

September 28th marked 20 years since the start of Palestine's second Intifada. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at the history of this mass uprising and what it means for Palestinians in 2020.

THE WEST ASIA POST | A look at Palestine's second intifada

Watch this week's West Asia Post as we talk about Lebanon's growing economic crisis with an exclusive ground report from Beirut. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post ; Episode 1

Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound reopened to Muslim worshippers and visitors on Sunday (May 31) after a two-and-a-half month coronavirus closure, but authorities imposed some precautions as health officials warned of an uptick in local infections.

Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque reopens after more than two months

Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, wounding dozens of Palestinians and four police.

Separately on the Gaza border, a Palestinian shot at Israeli soldiers, who returned fire and killed him in the third such incident in recent days, the army said.

Hamas' health ministry confirmed the death of the Palestinian.

In Jerusalem, police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, according to an AFP correspondent.

The Red Crescent reported 61 Palestinians wounded, 15 of whom were taken to hospitals.

Police said four officers were wounded as Palestinian protesters threw stones and other objects at security forces, who responded with what they called riot-dispersal means.

Seven people were arrested, police said.

Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in visits by Jewish religious nationalists to the holy site.

In a bid to ease tensions, police initially barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards.

'It's our mosque'

After relative calm returned and following criticism from Israeli far-right politicians, police then opened the site to Jewish visits, sparking further clashes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he decided in advance "in consultation with all the security bodies" to allow Jewish entry.

"This year, as every year, Jews will go up to the Temple Mount on Tisha B'av, even when it is a Muslim holiday," he said in a Whatsapp video clip distributed to media.&nbsp;

"The question was not whether they would go up but how to manage it in the best way for public security and that is exactly what we did."&nbsp;

Palestinian worshippers blocked from entering after the clashes gathered outside and chanted "Allahu Akbar!" (God is greatest) and "With my soul and my blood, I will defend Al-Aqsa."

"It's our mosque, it's our Eid," said Assisa Abu Sneineh, 32, adding she was there when the clashes erupted.

"All of a sudden (security forces) arrived and began to hit and fire sound grenades."

Some 1,300 Jews visited the site on Sunday, according to the Muslim Waqf organisation, which administers the holy compound.

Jordan, the site's custodian and one of only two Arab countries with a peace treaty with Israel, condemned Israel's "continuous violations" there.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia called on the international community to "protect the Palestinian people from various Israeli aggressive practices".&nbsp;

Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi denounced Israel's response as "an act of recklessness and aggression."

Yehuda Glick, a former Israeli parliament member and a prominent campaigner for greater Jewish access to the site, accused Palestinian worshippers of provoking the clashes.

"When the Muslims were alone and they told them the Jews were not coming, they celebrated by doing riots," he said.

The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples.

Tisha B'av commemorates the destruction of the two temples.

The site is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Jews can visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

A potent symbol of Palestinian national identity, it is the scene of regular clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police.

Sunday's incidents come only weeks ahead of Israel's September 17 elections, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is widely seen as wanting to maintain calm.

But he also faced pressure from Israeli far-right politicians to open the holy site to Jewish visits.

- Tense Gaza border - 
The separate incident on the Gaza border followed two similar ones since the start of the month.

On Saturday, Israel's army said troops shot dead four heavily armed Palestinians on the Gaza border, adding one had managed to cross and throw a grenade at soldiers.

On August 1, a Palestinian seeking to avenge his brother's death by Israeli fire entered Israel from Gaza and opened fire on soldiers, the army said.

Three Israeli soldiers were wounded and the Palestinian was killed, it said.

Regular protests and clashes erupted along the border of the blockaded Gaza Strip in March 2018.

At least 302 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza or the border area since then, the majority during demonstrations and clashes.

Seven Israelis have also been killed in Gaza-related violence over the same period.

The protests have declined in intensity in recent months following a UN and Egyptian-brokered truce.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, ruled by Islamist movement Hamas, have fought three wars since 2008.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya spoke of the Al-Aqsa clashes on Sunday, saying it "shows the religious dimension of the conflict."

Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, wounding dozens of Palestinians and four police.

Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, wounding dozens of Palestinians and four police. Separately on the Gaza border, a Palestinian shot at Israeli soldiers, who returned fire and killed him in the third such incident in recent days, the army said. Hamas' health ministry confirmed the death of the Palestinian. In Jerusalem, police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, according to an AFP correspondent. The Red Crescent reported 61 Palestinians wounded, 15 of whom were taken to hospitals. Police said four officers were wounded as Palestinian protesters threw stones and other objects at security forces, who responded with what they called riot-dispersal means. Seven people were arrested, police said. Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque. It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in visits by Jewish religious nationalists to the holy site. In a bid to ease tensions, police initially barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards. 'It's our mosque' After relative calm returned and following criticism from Israeli far-right politicians, police then opened the site to Jewish visits, sparking further clashes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he decided in advance "in consultation with all the security bodies" to allow Jewish entry. "This year, as every year, Jews will go up to the Temple Mount on Tisha B'av, even when it is a Muslim holiday," he said in a Whatsapp video clip distributed to media. "The question was not whether they would go up but how to manage it in the best way for public security and that is exactly what we did." Palestinian worshippers blocked from entering after the clashes gathered outside and chanted "Allahu Akbar!" (God is greatest) and "With my soul and my blood, I will defend Al-Aqsa." "It's our mosque, it's our Eid," said Assisa Abu Sneineh, 32, adding she was there when the clashes erupted. "All of a sudden (security forces) arrived and began to hit and fire sound grenades." Some 1,300 Jews visited the site on Sunday, according to the Muslim Waqf organisation, which administers the holy compound. Jordan, the site's custodian and one of only two Arab countries with a peace treaty with Israel, condemned Israel's "continuous violations" there. Similarly, Saudi Arabia called on the international community to "protect the Palestinian people from various Israeli aggressive practices". Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi denounced Israel's response as "an act of recklessness and aggression." Yehuda Glick, a former Israeli parliament member and a prominent campaigner for greater Jewish access to the site, accused Palestinian worshippers of provoking the clashes. "When the Muslims were alone and they told them the Jews were not coming, they celebrated by doing riots," he said. The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples. Tisha B'av commemorates the destruction of the two temples. The site is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Jews can visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions. A potent symbol of Palestinian national identity, it is the scene of regular clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police. Sunday's incidents come only weeks ahead of Israel's September 17 elections, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is widely seen as wanting to maintain calm. But he also faced pressure from Israeli far-right politicians to open the holy site to Jewish visits. - Tense Gaza border - The separate incident on the Gaza border followed two similar ones since the start of the month. On Saturday, Israel's army said troops shot dead four heavily armed Palestinians on the Gaza border, adding one had managed to cross and throw a grenade at soldiers. On August 1, a Palestinian seeking to avenge his brother's death by Israeli fire entered Israel from Gaza and opened fire on soldiers, the army said. Three Israeli soldiers were wounded and the Palestinian was killed, it said. Regular protests and clashes erupted along the border of the blockaded Gaza Strip in March 2018. At least 302 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza or the border area since then, the majority during demonstrations and clashes. Seven Israelis have also been killed in Gaza-related violence over the same period. The protests have declined in intensity in recent months following a UN and Egyptian-brokered truce. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, ruled by Islamist movement Hamas, have fought three wars since 2008. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya spoke of the Al-Aqsa clashes on Sunday, saying it "shows the religious dimension of the conflict."

At least 61 Palestinians injured after clash with Israel police at Jerusalem holy site

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported.

Police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries without specifying a number.

Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-guest-237916"> thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque.</a>

It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in Jewish visits to the holy site.

In a bid to ease tensions, police barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards.

The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples.

It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported.

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported. Police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries without specifying a number. Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque. It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in Jewish visits to the holy site. In a bid to ease tensions, police barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards. The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

Israel police, Palestinians clash at flashpoint Jerusalem holy site

A small fire broke out at a guard's booth in the courtyard at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem but was extinguished and the site remains open, authorities said Tuesday.

The blaze broke out on Monday evening around the same time as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-was-probably-caused-by-accident-say-french-prosecutors-210901">Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral</a> burned.

The fire was "quickly extinguished", Israeli police said, adding the cause was being investigated.

The Waqf religious organisation which oversees the site said the fire burned a guard's room above what is known as the Marwani prayer room.

It said the fire was caused by youths playing with fire, without providing further details.

The Jerusalem compound is holy to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

It is considered the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest in Judaism.

A small fire broke out at a guard's booth in the courtyard at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem but was extinguished and the site remains open, authorities said Tuesday.

A small fire broke out at a guard's booth in the courtyard at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem but was extinguished and the site remains open, authorities said Tuesday. The blaze broke out on Monday evening around the same time as Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral burned. The fire was "quickly extinguished", Israeli police said, adding the cause was being investigated. The Waqf religious organisation which oversees the site said the fire burned a guard's room above what is known as the Marwani prayer room. It said the fire was caused by youths playing with fire, without providing further details. The Jerusalem compound is holy to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. It is considered the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest in Judaism.

Fire broke out in Al-Aqsa mosque as Notre-Dame cathedral burned

Unrest at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site led Israeli police to shut off access to it on Tuesday after several weeks of tension at the location.

Police said they evacuated the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, after a Molotov cocktail damaged a police post.

Video spread online of scuffles between police and Palestinians before the site was cleared.

More than 10 people were arrested, police said, while the Palestinian Red Crescent reported two people hurt.

A police officer suffered from smoke inhalation, police said.

Police said they found a number of firecrackers and Molotov cocktails in searches of the site.

Residents said police were also restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem's Old City, where the site is located.

Worshippers later prayed outside the locked gates of the site in protest.

Jordan, the custodian of the site, condemned its closure as "unacceptable".

Abdul Nasser Abul al-Basal, Jordanian minister of Islamic affairs, told state-run Al-Mamlaka TV that the closure was an "attack on religious freedom".

The compound is the third-holiest site in Islam and a focus of Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

It is also the location of Judaism's most sacred spot, revered as the site of the two biblical-era Jewish temples.

Jews are allowed to visit but cannot pray there and it is a frequent scene of tension.

It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Recent weeks have seen scuffles over a side building at the site known as the Golden Gate.

Palestinian worshippers have been entering the site despite an Israeli order that it should stay closed.

Access to the Golden Gate was closed in 2003 during the second Palestinian intifada over alleged militant activity there, police say.

Palestinian officials argue that the organisation that prompted the ban no longer exists and there is no reason for it to remain closed.

Israel and Jordan are believed to be holding discussions to resolve the issue.

Police have filed a request with Israeli courts for an order to re-close the building, but the court has reportedly delayed any decision to allow for more negotiations.

There are concerns in Israel that tensions at the site could boil over and become a political issue ahead of April 9 Israeli elections.

Unrest at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site led Israeli police to shut off access to it on Tuesday after several weeks of tension at the location. Police said they evacuated the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, after a Molotov cocktail damaged a police post.

Unrest at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site led Israeli police to shut off access to it on Tuesday after several weeks of tension at the location. Police said they evacuated the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, after a Molotov cocktail damaged a police post. Video spread online of scuffles between police and Palestinians before the site was cleared. More than 10 people were arrested, police said, while the Palestinian Red Crescent reported two people hurt. A police officer suffered from smoke inhalation, police said. Police said they found a number of firecrackers and Molotov cocktails in searches of the site. Residents said police were also restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem's Old City, where the site is located. Worshippers later prayed outside the locked gates of the site in protest. Jordan, the custodian of the site, condemned its closure as "unacceptable". Abdul Nasser Abul al-Basal, Jordanian minister of Islamic affairs, told state-run Al-Mamlaka TV that the closure was an "attack on religious freedom". The compound is the third-holiest site in Islam and a focus of Palestinian aspirations for statehood. It is also the location of Judaism's most sacred spot, revered as the site of the two biblical-era Jewish temples. Jews are allowed to visit but cannot pray there and it is a frequent scene of tension. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Recent weeks have seen scuffles over a side building at the site known as the Golden Gate. Palestinian worshippers have been entering the site despite an Israeli order that it should stay closed. Access to the Golden Gate was closed in 2003 during the second Palestinian intifada over alleged militant activity there, police say. Palestinian officials argue that the organisation that prompted the ban no longer exists and there is no reason for it to remain closed. Israel and Jordan are believed to be holding discussions to resolve the issue. Police have filed a request with Israeli courts for an order to re-close the building, but the court has reportedly delayed any decision to allow for more negotiations. There are concerns in Israel that tensions at the site could boil over and become a political issue ahead of April 9 Israeli elections.

Israel shuts Jerusalem holy site after unrest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Jerusalem will always be the capital of the Jewish state, speaking ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump.

&quot;Tonight, I say to the whole world and in the clearest way possible, Jerusalem was and will always be the capital of Israel,&quot; Netanyahu said in front of thousands of concert-goers.

&quot;The Temple Mount and the Western Wall will always remain under Israeli sovereignty.&quot;

The Western Wall is the last remnant of the supporting wall of the second Jewish temple, built by King Herod and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

The holiest site where Jews can pray, it is in the Old City of east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognised by the international community.

It is situated below the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam&#39;s third holiest site, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount.

Trump is on Monday expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall.

Netanyahu was speaking at festivities marking the 50th anniversary of Israel&#39;s conquest of east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War.

Preparations for Trump&#39;s visit have led to criticism from Israeli right-wingers after US officials declined to say whether the Western Wall was part of Israel.

The legal and diplomatic status of Jerusalem is one of the key points in the Middle East conflict.

Israel considers the entire city to be its eternal and indivisible capital, but the Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

(AFP)

'Tonight, I say to the whole world and in the clearest way possible, Jerusalem was and will always be the capital of Israel,' Netanyahu said in front of thousands of concert-goers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Jerusalem will always be the capital of the Jewish state, speaking ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump. "Tonight, I say to the whole world and in the clearest way possible, Jerusalem was and will always be the capital of Israel," Netanyahu said in front of thousands of concert-goers. "The Temple Mount and the Western Wall will always remain under Israeli sovereignty." The Western Wall is the last remnant of the supporting wall of the second Jewish temple, built by King Herod and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The holiest site where Jews can pray, it is in the Old City of east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognised by the international community. It is situated below the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount. Trump is on Monday expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall. Netanyahu was speaking at festivities marking the 50th anniversary of Israel's conquest of east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War. Preparations for Trump's visit have led to criticism from Israeli right-wingers after US officials declined to say whether the Western Wall was part of Israel. The legal and diplomatic status of Jerusalem is one of the key points in the Middle East conflict. Israel considers the entire city to be its eternal and indivisible capital, but the Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. (AFP)

Jerusalem will always be Israel's capital: Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, after a second resolution accused of denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem.

&quot;The theatre of the absurd continues and I decided to recall our ambassador for consultation,&quot; Netanyahu said in a statement. &quot;We will decide what the next steps will be.&quot;

The Israeli ambassador to the UN body, Carmel Shama Hacohen, told public radio that &quot;we are studying the possibility of breaking all contact with UNESCO&quot;.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee earlier adopted a resolution on the &quot;Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls,&quot; saying it was &quot;deeply concerned&quot; by Israeli building works and archaeological excavations in the city.

The vote comes eight days after UNESCO&#39;s executive council backed a resolution on the same theme that infuriated Israel.

The resolution refers throughout to the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Al-Haram Al-Sharif religious complex, without using the Israeli name &quot;Temple Mount,&quot; according&nbsp;to a copy seen by AFP.

Despite what an Israeli official called long efforts to get the resolution amended or dropped, the heritage committee, made up of 21 member states, adopted the text proposed by Kuwait, Lebanon and Tunisia.

The 14-hectare (35-acre) rectangular esplanade at the southeastern corner of the Old City is the third holiest site in Islam and the most holy in Judaism. Jews who believe it to be the location of the ancient first and second temples, the latter of which was destroyed in 70 AD.

Senior Palestinian figure Saeb Erekat hailed the resolution&#39;s passing, saying it &quot;aims at reaffirming the importance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam.&quot;

&quot;Israel has been using archaeological claims and distortion of facts as a way to legitimise the annexation of occupied east Jerusalem,&quot; he added.

Israel occupied and later annexed Palestinian east Jerusalem in 1967 in a move never recognised by the international community.

Wednesday&#39;s resolution came on the same day Israeli archaeologists unveiled a 7th century BC text they said contains the earliest mention in Hebrew of Jerusalem outside the Bible.

The antiquities authority said the papyrus, found near the Dead Sea, proved that &quot;Jews were in this city 2,700 years ago.&quot;

Culture minister Miri Regev pounced on the find as an opportunity to attack UNESCO. She said the discovery was proof Jerusalem &quot;has been and will forever remain the eternal capital of the Jewish people&quot;.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Israel is considering breaking all contacts with UNESCO, after a resolution on the holy site in Jerusalem without referring 'Temple Mount'

Israel recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, after a second resolution accused of denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. "The theatre of the absurd continues and I decided to recall our ambassador for consultation," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We will decide what the next steps will be." The Israeli ambassador to the UN body, Carmel Shama Hacohen, told public radio that "we are studying the possibility of breaking all contact with UNESCO". The UNESCO World Heritage Committee earlier adopted a resolution on the "Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls," saying it was "deeply concerned" by Israeli building works and archaeological excavations in the city. The vote comes eight days after UNESCO's executive council backed a resolution on the same theme that infuriated Israel. The resolution refers throughout to the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Al-Haram Al-Sharif religious complex, without using the Israeli name "Temple Mount," according to a copy seen by AFP. Despite what an Israeli official called long efforts to get the resolution amended or dropped, the heritage committee, made up of 21 member states, adopted the text proposed by Kuwait, Lebanon and Tunisia. The 14-hectare (35-acre) rectangular esplanade at the southeastern corner of the Old City is the third holiest site in Islam and the most holy in Judaism. Jews who believe it to be the location of the ancient first and second temples, the latter of which was destroyed in 70 AD. Senior Palestinian figure Saeb Erekat hailed the resolution's passing, saying it "aims at reaffirming the importance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam." "Israel has been using archaeological claims and distortion of facts as a way to legitimise the annexation of occupied east Jerusalem," he added. Israel occupied and later annexed Palestinian east Jerusalem in 1967 in a move never recognised by the international community. Wednesday's resolution came on the same day Israeli archaeologists unveiled a 7th century BC text they said contains the earliest mention in Hebrew of Jerusalem outside the Bible. The antiquities authority said the papyrus, found near the Dead Sea, proved that "Jews were in this city 2,700 years ago." Culture minister Miri Regev pounced on the find as an opportunity to attack UNESCO. She said the discovery was proof Jerusalem "has been and will forever remain the eternal capital of the Jewish people". (AFP)

Israel recalls ambassador after second UNESCO vote denying Jewish connection to Jerusalem

Isreal suspended ties with UNESCO after the UN cultural organisation adopted two resolutions on the occupied Palestinian territories which it said ignored &#39;Jewish ties to Jerusalem&#39; ahead of a final vote next week.

The resolutions adopted at committee stage on Thursday refer to &quot;Occupied Palestine&quot; and the need to &quot;safeguard the Palestinian cultural heritage and the distinctive character of east Jerusalem&quot;, AFP reported.

Education minister Naftali Bennett in a letter to the UNESCO director-general accused the UN body of &quot;thousands of years of Jewish ties to Jerusalem&quot; and aiding &quot;Islamist terror.&quot;

&quot;I have notified the Israel National Commission for UNESCO to suspend all professional activities with the international organisation,&quot; he said.

The resolution refers to Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam&#39;s third-holiest site, without any reference to the site also being revered by Jews as the Temple Mount.

UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova distanced herself from the resolutions earlier on Friday. &quot;The heritage of Jerusalem is indivisible, and each of its communities has a right to the explicit recognition of their history and relationship with the city,&quot; she said in a statement.

UNESCO&#39;s executive board chairman Micheal Worbs had on Friday called for a delay on the vote on two resolutions on annexed Jerusalem. The 58 member states of the board usually follow the votes made by committees.

Israel and the United States lost their voting rights because they suspended funding to UNESCO in 2011 because Palestinians were admitted as members.

The two resolutions were put forward by several Arab countries including Egypt and Lebanon. The resolution was adopted by &nbsp;24 votes in favour and six against with 26 abstentions and two absentees. Israel is referred to throughout as the &quot;occupying power&quot;.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the resolution as &#39;absurd&#39;. He said it &quot;ignores the unique historic connection of Judaism to the Temple Mount&quot; by referring to the site by its Arabic name, the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, reported AFP.

On Tuesday, the UNESCO executive board will decide whether the draft decision will be passed unanimously or be put to a vote and further debate.

The status of Jerusalem is the thorniest issue of the decades-long Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move not recognised by the international community, declaring the whole city its indivisible capital.

The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their promised future state.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Israel accused the body of rejecting Jewish ties to the al-Aqsa mosque after it adopted two resolutions on East Jerusalem territories

Isreal suspended ties with UNESCO after the UN cultural organisation adopted two resolutions on the occupied Palestinian territories which it said ignored 'Jewish ties to Jerusalem' ahead of a final vote next week. The resolutions adopted at committee stage on Thursday refer to "Occupied Palestine" and the need to "safeguard the Palestinian cultural heritage and the distinctive character of east Jerusalem", AFP reported. Education minister Naftali Bennett in a letter to the UNESCO director-general accused the UN body of "thousands of years of Jewish ties to Jerusalem" and aiding "Islamist terror." "I have notified the Israel National Commission for UNESCO to suspend all professional activities with the international organisation," he said. The resolution refers to Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site, without any reference to the site also being revered by Jews as the Temple Mount. UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova distanced herself from the resolutions earlier on Friday. "The heritage of Jerusalem is indivisible, and each of its communities has a right to the explicit recognition of their history and relationship with the city," she said in a statement. UNESCO's executive board chairman Micheal Worbs had on Friday called for a delay on the vote on two resolutions on annexed Jerusalem. The 58 member states of the board usually follow the votes made by committees. Israel and the United States lost their voting rights because they suspended funding to UNESCO in 2011 because Palestinians were admitted as members. The two resolutions were put forward by several Arab countries including Egypt and Lebanon. The resolution was adopted by 24 votes in favour and six against with 26 abstentions and two absentees. Israel is referred to throughout as the "occupying power". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the resolution as 'absurd'. He said it "ignores the unique historic connection of Judaism to the Temple Mount" by referring to the site by its Arabic name, the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, reported AFP. On Tuesday, the UNESCO executive board will decide whether the draft decision will be passed unanimously or be put to a vote and further debate. The status of Jerusalem is the thorniest issue of the decades-long Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move not recognised by the international community, declaring the whole city its indivisible capital. The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their promised future state. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Israel suspends cooperation with UNESCO after Jerusalem vote

An Israeli court today sentenced a Palestinian Islamic preacher to eight months in prison for a provocative sermon he delivered against Jews at Jerusalem&#39;s Al-Aqsa mosque in 2014. 
 
The preacher, Sheikh Omar Abu Sara, was found guilty of &#39;incitement to violence and racism&#39; by the Jerusalem magistrates&#39; court in March this year, the AFP reported. 
 
In the sermon which was also uploaded on YouTube, he calls Jews &quot;treacherous, stubborn, murderous, rude and shameless, monkeys and pigs.&quot;

&quot;I&#39;m telling Jews explicitly - it&#39;s time to slaughter you, time to fight you, time to kill you,&quot; he said, according to a transcript of the speech in the court decision. 
 
He vows Muslims will &quot;free this land from your filth, and that day is approaching&quot;. 
 
Omar Abu Sara has denied the accusations contending that his statements were &quot;general and non-binding&quot; and based on scriptures and teachings. 
 
The court, however, rejected that argument and said most of the sermon was not quotes but original statements by Abu Sara made to &quot;humiliate and degrade Jews&quot; and &quot;preach Jew-hatred to the other worshippers&quot;. 
 
The Islamic Waqf organisation, which administers the Al-Aqsa compound, told AFP it was not aware of a preacher there by that name.

The sentencing will begin on December 18 and Abu Sara has 45 days to appeal the verdict. 
 
The sermon came at a time of massive unrest over perceived Jewish attempts to take control of Al-Aqsa, third-holiest site in Islam. 
 
The Jews refer it as Temple Mount and consider it their most sacred site. 
 
Tensions in the West Bank increased after a Palestinian teenager was murdered in July for killing three Jewish teenagers in the West Bank. The killings were part of the violence that led up to the 2014 war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. 
 
The Jewish holidays in October see a rise in Jewish visitors to the site, and authorities are bracing for an increase in violence in and around east Jerusalem. 
 
AFP says 230 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, one Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, have been killed in the violence since last October. 
 
Analysts say the unrest has been fuelled by account of Palestine&#39;s efforts to oppose the Israeli settlement in the West Bank, lack of peace efforts and their own fractured leadership. 
 
Israel says incitement by Palestinian leaders and media are the main causes for violence. It says the Palestinians were killed while carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks. Others were shot dead during protests or killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Sheikh Omar Abu Sara called the Jews 'treacherous, stubborn, murderous, rude and shameless'

An Israeli court today sentenced a Palestinian Islamic preacher to eight months in prison for a provocative sermon he delivered against Jews at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque in 2014. The preacher, Sheikh Omar Abu Sara, was found guilty of 'incitement to violence and racism' by the Jerusalem magistrates' court in March this year, the AFP reported. In the sermon which was also uploaded on YouTube, he calls Jews "treacherous, stubborn, murderous, rude and shameless, monkeys and pigs." "I'm telling Jews explicitly - it's time to slaughter you, time to fight you, time to kill you," he said, according to a transcript of the speech in the court decision. He vows Muslims will "free this land from your filth, and that day is approaching". Omar Abu Sara has denied the accusations contending that his statements were "general and non-binding" and based on scriptures and teachings. The court, however, rejected that argument and said most of the sermon was not quotes but original statements by Abu Sara made to "humiliate and degrade Jews" and "preach Jew-hatred to the other worshippers". The Islamic Waqf organisation, which administers the Al-Aqsa compound, told AFP it was not aware of a preacher there by that name. The sentencing will begin on December 18 and Abu Sara has 45 days to appeal the verdict. The sermon came at a time of massive unrest over perceived Jewish attempts to take control of Al-Aqsa, third-holiest site in Islam. The Jews refer it as Temple Mount and consider it their most sacred site. Tensions in the West Bank increased after a Palestinian teenager was murdered in July for killing three Jewish teenagers in the West Bank. The killings were part of the violence that led up to the 2014 war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. The Jewish holidays in October see a rise in Jewish visitors to the site, and authorities are bracing for an increase in violence in and around east Jerusalem. AFP says 230 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, one Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, have been killed in the violence since last October. Analysts say the unrest has been fuelled by account of Palestine's efforts to oppose the Israeli settlement in the West Bank, lack of peace efforts and their own fractured leadership. Israel says incitement by Palestinian leaders and media are the main causes for violence. It says the Palestinians were killed while carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks. Others were shot dead during protests or killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Israel sentences Palestinian cleric for provocative sermon against Jews

Hundreds of Jews visited Jerusalem&#39;s Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Tisha B&#39;av, a religious day of mourning, with several expelled for praying, a right restricted to Muslims, police said today. 
 
They said around 400 entered the site in occupied east Jerusalem throughout the day to commemorate the destruction of two ancient temples there. Police expelled 10 Jews from the compound for trying to pray there and arrested another two. 
 
Security at the controversial site had been boosted with hundreds of extra officers ahead of the event, which began on Saturday night.&nbsp;Tens of thousands of Jews also prayed at the adjacent Western Wall during the day. 
 
Advocates for prayer rights for Jews at the esplanade, the holiest site in Judaism and referred to as the Temple Mount, have called on Jews to visit the sensitive area. It is Islam&#39;s third holiest site. 
 
An AFP journalist saw several groups of around 30 Jews visiting the site in the morning and the afternoon, many escorted by police. 
Muslims entering through different gates showed their identity cards to the police, who retained them for some visitors until the end of their visit. 
 
Honenu, an advocacy group that provides legal aid to extremist Jews, said three were held for citing verses from prayer, and another for tearing his shirt, a sign of mourning in Judaism. Jews are allowed to visit the compound but not pray there, and the site has been the scene of regular incidents when Jews try to ignore the rule and Muslims intervene to stop them. 
 
Police said Muslims had gathered around two Jews being expelled by police and began yelling at them. Police pushed them away and three Muslims were &quot;lightly&quot; injured in the scuffle. 
 
Jerusalem has been at the heart of a wave of violence since October in which 219 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died, according to an AFP count. 
 
Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities. 
 
While the number of attacks has declined in recent weeks, Palestinian fears of Israeli intentions to undermine Muslim control of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound were a key factor in the violence erupting 10 months ago. 
 
Palestinians argue that Israel is seeking to change the status quo at the compound, a claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly denied. 
 
Israel occupied east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed the territory in a move never recognised by the international community. 
 
(AFP)

Police expelled 10 Jews from the compound for trying to pray and arrested another two. Jews are allowed to visit the compound but not pray

Hundreds of Jews visited Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Tisha B'av, a religious day of mourning, with several expelled for praying, a right restricted to Muslims, police said today. They said around 400 entered the site in occupied east Jerusalem throughout the day to commemorate the destruction of two ancient temples there. Police expelled 10 Jews from the compound for trying to pray there and arrested another two. Security at the controversial site had been boosted with hundreds of extra officers ahead of the event, which began on Saturday night. Tens of thousands of Jews also prayed at the adjacent Western Wall during the day. Advocates for prayer rights for Jews at the esplanade, the holiest site in Judaism and referred to as the Temple Mount, have called on Jews to visit the sensitive area. It is Islam's third holiest site. An AFP journalist saw several groups of around 30 Jews visiting the site in the morning and the afternoon, many escorted by police. Muslims entering through different gates showed their identity cards to the police, who retained them for some visitors until the end of their visit. Honenu, an advocacy group that provides legal aid to extremist Jews, said three were held for citing verses from prayer, and another for tearing his shirt, a sign of mourning in Judaism. Jews are allowed to visit the compound but not pray there, and the site has been the scene of regular incidents when Jews try to ignore the rule and Muslims intervene to stop them. Police said Muslims had gathered around two Jews being expelled by police and began yelling at them. Police pushed them away and three Muslims were "lightly" injured in the scuffle. Jerusalem has been at the heart of a wave of violence since October in which 219 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese have died, according to an AFP count. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities. While the number of attacks has declined in recent weeks, Palestinian fears of Israeli intentions to undermine Muslim control of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound were a key factor in the violence erupting 10 months ago. Palestinians argue that Israel is seeking to change the status quo at the compound, a claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly denied. Israel occupied east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed the territory in a move never recognised by the international community. (AFP)

Jews expelled from Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque on mourning day

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