Palestine talks 'war' as Jerusalem closes holy islamic shrine
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, has been forced to close its doors to worshipers for the first time in almost 50 years.
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, called the closure a 'declaration of war.' According to Israel's public security minister, the mosque will remain closed "until further notice".
The Al-Aqsa mosque, located on Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, was closed following the recent attempted assassination of Israeli activist Yehuda Glick.
Glick, a prominent right-wing activist and advocate for greater Jewish access to the Temple Mount, survived the attack on Wednesday.
Israel closes al-Aqsa to visitors after the shooting of a right-wing rabbi
#AlAqsaUnderAttack
http://t.co/toOprNzmek pic.twitter.com/llp2HkdPDq
— #PrayforGaza (@Pray4Pal) October 30, 2014
Temple Mount is one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem which bears great significance for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. The present site is dominated by three structures important to all three religions: The Dome of the Rock, the Dome of the Chain and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al Aqsa mosque is FULLY CLOSED for the first time since 1967 !!
Al Aqsa is in REAL DANGER.
#Palestine
#القدس_أمانتي pic.twitter.com/6XnL9N1Geh
— Abbas Sarsour (@iFalasteen) October 30, 2014
Earlier this week, it was reported that Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem, requested that authorities "crack down" on residents and pressurise Palestinians who have recently clashed with police.
Only a handful of Musalees for Dhuhr as Masjid al #Aqsa is TOTALLY locked down by #Israel #AlAqsaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/6svP79cqHy"
— abdurrahman Eshak (@074are) October 30, 2014