The violence has resulted in at least six deaths, both Israeli and Palestinian.
The Palestinian ambassador to India Adnan Abu Alhaija here on Wednesday sought India's intervention to end conflict over the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, cautioning that it has enough potential to consume the whole region. He said India's friendly ties with Israel could play a vital role in bringing a sense and stop the issue going out of hand.
For ten days now, Jerusalem has seen the worst bloodshed in years spurred by Israel's decision to install metal detectors at the entrance to the Old City's holy compound. The violence has resulted in at least six deaths, both Israeli and Palestinian. The envoy warned that Israel is pushing for a religious war to change the situation from political conflict to religious conflict and war. "No one knows how it will end if it starts as a religious one," he said. The envoy added that if security measures were not lifted, the region would only see increasing violence that "might be more than an intifada."
He retreated that Narendra Modi-led Indian government had wherewithal to intervene to end the conflict and prevent a major catastrophe in the region. "India's present government is friendly to Israel. Previous governments were also close to Israel, but this government is particularly so. India's ties with Israel could interfere with the present situation in Jerusalem," he said. "With the relation between the two countries, they could interfere in the situation, especially because they knew what the Palestinian cause is and what their rights are in the occupied Palestinian territories," he added.
The envoy said Jerusalem is revered by three religions, and Palestinian authority respects their sentiments. Jordan currently serves as the custodian of the Al-Aqsa site, where Jews are not allowed to enter, but Jewish right-wing groups such as The Temple Mount Faithful are pushing to change that policy.
"Al-Aqsa is a Muslim place and there is nothing after that," Abu Alhaija said. "And we will fight forever for that." The envoy said Israel has been trying to disturb the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa mosque for a long time, but has begun the Judaisation process for the first time since 1967.
He emphasised that PM Modi's recent visit to Israel, which excluded a visit to Ramallah in the Palestinian territory, did not impact ties between two sides. "The Judaisation campaign of Israel received a serious blow last year when UNESCO declared Al-Aqsa mosque compound to be uniquely Muslim. This has infuriated Israel," the Ambassador said. He further said that Israel is avoiding the 'two-state solution' and wants to impose control over the occupied parts of the city.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "DNA")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}