Sheikh Salah: Israel wants to encroach on parts of Temple Mount

Head of Islamic Movement accuses Israel of conspiring to build Jewish Temple on Temple Mount

30 August 2007

by Ali Waked

Israel is conspiring to encroach on the Temple Mount to build a Jewish temple near the Al-Aqsa mosque, Sheikh Raed Salah, the head of the Islamic Movement northern branch, said Thursday.

Salah called on Arab and Muslim nations to "prevent the division of the Al-Aqsa by Israel."

In a letter to Arab kings and leaders of Muslim countries, Salah urged all Muslims to torpedo "Israel's plan that aims at dividing the Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews whereas in the Jewish part it plans to build its imaginary temple."

Salah also lamented Israel's practice of allowing groups of religious Jews to visit the Temple Mount, and according to Salah, to pray and perform religious rituals.

The Temple Mount, which houses the Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock Mosques, (allegedly) is the holiest site for Jews. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest Muslim shrine, nests just above the last remaining wall of the Temple, the Western Wall.

Salah said the whole complex was Muslim but Israel was trying to expropriate parts of it.