AL-QUDS
A committee in Israel's Knesset is due to hold a session on Wednesday to discuss preparations for "mass break-ins" into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Jewish Passover holidays in April, the Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage warned Wednesday.
"The Knesset's internal affairs committee will discuss the preparations by the Israeli occupation forces to secure the mass break-ins during Passover," the foundation, which seeks to safeguard the iconic mosque from Israeli violations, said in a statement.
The foundation, based in Umm al-Fahm in northern Israel, also warned against an alleged scheme by Israeli authorities to partition the holy compound through its "consequent measures against the holy mosque in this critical period."
The Israeli authorities are yet to comment on the foundation's assertions.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli security forces, have stepped up their intrusions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, the world's third holiest site for Muslims.
The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
Jews refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
In September 2000, a visit to the site by then opposition politician Ariel Sharon triggered what later became known as the "Second Intifada" – a popular uprising in which thousands of Palestinians were killed and injured.
Israel occupied Al-Quds during the 1967 Middle East War. It later annexed the holy city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the self-proclaimed Jewish state.
By Anees Barghouthy
englishnews@aa.com.tr
