ISTANBUL
Head of 1948 Palestinian Islamic Movement Shekih Raed Salah argued that Israel plans to divide the praying time in Al Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews.
Presently in Istanbul to follow the 5th hearing of Mavi Marmara trial held on Monday, Salah told AA that Israel attempts to divide the praying time in Al Aqsa, saying "We will never let Israel to open the mosque to Jews at a given time and leave the rest to Muslims."
Stressing that Israeli excavations under the mosque is underway without pause, Salah stated "The ongoing excavations at the tunnels under Al Aqsa have led to cracks and collapses in the mosque's yard. Perennial trees were cut down due to excavations. The historical Ottoman structures on the western side of Al Aqsa are also in great danger. Israel swept away several Umayyad, Abbasid, Ayyubid and Ottoman artifacts in excavations."
Salah noted that peace and tranquillity are impossible unless Israeli invasion in Palestine ends, claiming that Israeli excavations' ultimate goal is to judaize Al Aqsa.
"The key and most dangerous point is that Israel plans to build a Zionist temple by demolishing Al Aqsa Mosque. We will never let Israel to divide Al Aqsa's praying time as to open the mosque to Jews at a given time and leave the rest to Muslims. The second Israeli plan is the spatial division of the mosque. But we are to say that Israel has no right in Al Aqsa, not even a tiny piece of land," he pointed.
Criticizing UNESCO of remaining silent in the face of Israeli excavations, "Personally, I do not trust in UNESCO. UNESCO cannot solve the problem. The only solution is to end the invasion," said Salah.
Salah also conveyed his wishes of success to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his efforts towards unifying Palestinian movements of Fatah and Hamas, stating "A unified Palestine is the common wish against Israel. The Israeli and American pressure interrupts the solution process. Unless both parties say 'We care about reconciliation at all hazards,' the disagreement between Fatah and Hamas would continue."
