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Jerusalemites strike, protest Old City synagogue dedication |
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Monday 15/03/2010 Jerusalem – Ma'an – Jerusalemites were called on to observe a strike between 11 and 1pm on Monday, as Palestinian leaders in the city mobilized residents to gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque following violent clashes the day before.
 Israeli occupation soldiers
Tensions remain high as Israeli officials plan to rededicate a synagogue 330 meters from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City. The decision to rededicate the building on Monday was condemned as an act of aggression by Palestinian religious officials.
On Sunday night, Israeli border guards and police fired tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets at demonstrating teenagers in the Bab Hutta and the Damascus Gate areas. Witnesses said protests intensified as youth threw stones at soldiers.
Palestinian national and Islamic groups in Jerusalem released a statement calling on Jerusalemites and Palestinian citizens of Israel to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Observers expect a growing crowd to remain in the mosque overnight on Monday and likely Tuesday. The statement also issued the request for a two hour strike.
The statement was released Sunday following a meeting at the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem, where leaders and residents discussed plans to protect the mosque, and to prevent the site from attack, attendees said.
Present were representatives of Jerusalemite foundations and families. Fatah's Jerusalem affairs chief Hatim Abdul Qader said discussion also touched on the insistence of Israeli forces to shut-off access to the Old City and the mosque to non-Jerusalemites. City residents under 50 without addresses in the Old City were also denied entry into the mosque.
Jerusalem sheikh, Abdullah Alqam, delivered a speech at the event urging Palestinians from all corners to take up the mantle of responsibility for Islam's third holiest site, and the center of Palestinian Muslim heritage. |
