Sisi interfered to stop Israel violations: Palestinian FM

CAIRO – 27 July 2017: Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Thursday that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi interfered ‘effectively’ in the latest escalations against Al Aqsa mosque “stopping Israel’s violent actions.”

During his speech at the emergency meeting of the Arab League Council at the level of Arab foreign ministers, al-Maliki thanked Sisi and the Egyptian government for its efforts.

“Al Qudes battle has begun and will not end till the complete demise of the Israeli occupation” al-Maliki said.

He added that Israel “has gone too far violating the Islamic holy sites, and disregarded Muslims’ feelings” with its decision to close Al Aqsa mosque on July 14. “By these violations the Israeli occupation authorities wanted to test to what extent the Arab reaction could be,” al-Maliki said.

He added that after the international condemnations it’s obvious that the Arab reply is “Al Aqsa is ours. The crisis is not about the security procedures the Israeli authorities decided to take, it’s about taking control over the city and the mosque” al-Maliki added.

The Thursday meeting was attended by The Arab foreign ministers including Sameh Shoukry, who said that the latest violations by the Israeli occupation forces at Al Aqsa mosque caused a “rage-wave” inside all Arab cities and countries, warning against any further escalations to the crisis.

He added that the latest escalations that included imposing several security measures, taking illegal decisions and banning Palestinians from praying, will “provoke the religious sentiments” of Muslims around the world.

A final statement was released by the Arab League calling on the United Nations Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities towards Jerusalem and implement its decisions on Palestine.

Secretary General of the League of Arab Ahmed Abu Al Gheit said in statements following the meeting that the League’s final discussions will be delivered to the United Nations to be discussed.

Friday July 27, is expected to be an important date in the whole crises, according to Abu Al Gheit. “Tomorrow, Palestinians are going to pray inside their mosque,” al-Maliki said

Several clashes have taken place since July 14 between Palestinians and Israeli forces after closing Al-Aqsa mosque for the first time since 1969.

Al-Aqsa mosque is considered one of the holiest Islamic places, after The Great Mosque of Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawī (the Prophet's Mosque) in Saudi Arabia.