PNN Palestine News Network
PNN/ Jerusalem/
Over 240 Israeli settlers on Sunday have entered the yards of Al-Aqsa mosque compound even with the UNESCO announcing it a purely Islamic site.
The settlers, going into the mosque in small groups and heavily guarded by special Israeli forces, entered it from the Mughrabi gate.
Right-wing Israeli organizations called by intensification of settler break-ins into Al-Aqsa, especially during Jewish holidays, to “confirm” the Jewishness of the place, especially after the UNESCO resolution, which called the proclaimed Temple Mount with its Islamic name, Al-Aqsa mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif.
According to Israeli narrative, the site is considered Judaism’s holiest site. In Islam, it counts as the first Qiblah (direction) and third holiest place.
The initial vote was held one week ago, where 26 countries abstained from the vote, including Serbia and Turkmenistan, while 24 countries supported the initiative and six voted against it.
Three days later, UNESCO said it might hold a new vote after Mexico had changed its position. However, upon receiving heavy criticism, UNESCO decided to call off the new vote while Mexico made an official statement announcing its changed position.
