Awqaf minister calls for stopping Israeli ‘sabotage’ in Jerusalem

AMMAN — Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Hayel Dawood on Sunday said Israeli occupation authorities must immediately stop its acts of sabotage, which seek to alter the identity of Bab Al Magharbeh, the largest entrance for non-Muslim visitors to Al Aqsa Mosque compound.

Since 2004, Israel has been digging underneath and around Al Aqsa Mosque and has removed large parts of the place, the minister said in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Israeli authorities have prevented the Islamic Awqaf and the Reconstruction Committee in Jerusalem from renovating the site after the collapse of some of its parts, he said.

At present, Israeli occupation forces are installing a wooden passage at the gate, which constitutes a violation of international laws, said the minister, stressing the need to implement the Jordanian proposed project on solving the problem of Bab Al Magharbeh, which received approval from UNESCO.

The Jordanian proposed project entails that Israel immediately ceases all illegal excavations and violations against the heritage of the old town of Jerusalem.

Underscoring the importance of Al Aqsa Mosque for all Muslims, Dawood called on international organisations, especially the UN Security Council and UNESCO to take the necessary action to stop the Israeli unilateral acts in the holy city. He also called on Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to shoulder their responsibilities in this regard.