Hamas, Abbas’ New Partner, Say Kotel Is Islamic

Hamas, Abbas’ New Partner, Say Kotel Is Islamic

Hamas’ official Al Qassam website quotes a senior cleric that “facts and history” prove the Western Wall is not Jewish property.

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By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

First Publish: 12/23/2012, 5:51 PM

Western Wall (Kotel)

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Hamas’ official Al Qassam website quotes a senior cleric that “facts and history” prove the Western Wall is not Jewish property.
Sheikh Dr. Ikrima Sa'id Sabri, head of the Supreme Islamic Council and the Al Aqsa Mosque preacher, “stressed that the western wall of Al Aqsa Mosque was not and will never be a Jewish property,” said the website of Hamas, with which Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is working for renewed unity.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said last week during Hanukkah, “I have heard that the Palestinians are saying that the Western Wall is occupied territory. I want to tell them from the closet possible place to where the miracle of the jar of oil occurred: The Western Wall has been ours for 3,000 years, and it and the State of Israel will be ours forever."
The Hamas website stated that in reply, Sheikh Sabri said in a press statement that the Prime Minister's remarks about the “western wall of Al Aqsa Mosque ‘contrast with the facts and history,’ stressing that the Western Wall, including the Buraq Wall is an integral part of the Al Aqsa Mosque.”
He added that Al-Aqsa Mosque "is a red line" and alleged that repeated “break-ins by Jewish extremists into the Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation police will not give them any right in Al Aqsa."
Hamas and the Bethlehem-based Ma'an news agency routinely report that Jews “storm” and “invade” the Temple Mount when Jews ascend to the holy site.
The Al Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage reported that “around 80 elements from the Israeli occupation intelligence service have stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque this week and have organized tours in its different parts.”
The foundation warned that the “break-ins” carry “dangerous signals, included in the occupation plans to intensify targeting Al-Aqsa."
Hamas falsely reported that Israeli youth groups are calling for “raids” into the Al Aqsa mosque and the performance of “Jewish rituals in its yards, as a step towards building the alleged Temple.”
Jewish law has prohibited any Jewish rituals on the Temple Mount since the destruction of the First and Second Holy Temples. Any attempts by Jewish pilgrims to utter prayers on the Mount are prevented by the Muslim Wakf and Israel Police.