THE latest Zionist aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque and the innocent unarmed people should not be let off without punishment. But who will punish the upstart Israel. If there is any country in this world that can get away with murder, commit or omit to do any blatant act and escape punishment and also get protected by other countries in global domains that claim to protect human rights and freedom of religion is this illegal country. Given this protection, the Israel nation feels secure and comfortable to do what they want with impunity and kill as many innocent people as they want without fear of any punishment. Past aggressions by this rogue nation against innocent people, for no fault of theirs, is a perfect example of that. Saudi Arabia, in its latest statement issued against this aggression, denounced the violations by the Israeli forces at Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, which has seen days of clashes between Israeli police and unarmed Palestinians. The statement described Israeli actions as an “aggression” which would “lead to grave consequences and contribute to feeding extremism and violence”. The statement called upon the international community to move immediately to compel the Israeli authorities to stop the attack on the Islamic holy sanctuaries and respect religions, international laws and legislations and the principles of the peace process. The Zionist government is carrying out one of the most dangerous project, which is dividing Al-Aqsa mosque between Muslim and Jews according to place and time. These incursions in the compound while keeping Muslims out of it seems to be a Zionist ploy in seeking to change the rules governing the site. It seems to be yet another step and effort at changing the longstanding status quo at the mosque. It is part of an increasingly aggressive strategy aimed at an eventual takeover of the compound by Israeli groups intent on bringing down the mosque and even building a Jewish temple in its place. We all know that Zionists have no claim on Al-Aqsa mosque and all their evidence is baseless. They have been planning, however, to demolish Al-Aqsa for a very long time in order to build what they claim to be a temple. The Zionists have timed their actions perfectly to escalate their destruction plans because the Muslim Ummah is in disorder and all Muslims now are busy hating and fighting each other. It was a major setback when Arab governments engaged in what is described as a peace process with a Zionist government that does not seek peace at all. Peace with Zionists is a joke. They do not honor any treaty and they are good at breaking their promises. We all know that Zionists have ill intentions toward Al-Aqsa Mosque and they will do whatever in their power to get to their ultimate goal, to level it with the ground. I saw on YouTube a TV interview with Sheikh Yusuf Ida'is, Palestinian minister of religious affairs, saying, "Israeli occupation's goal is to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque using rabbis and groups of extremist Jews, and to establish the alleged Temple in its place." He went on to say that Israel challenges and provokes the feelings of Arabs and Muslims. When Israel attacks the places holy to Islam and Christianity — and even trees, stones, or the dead are not safe from these attacks — it essentially wants to incite a religious war in the entire Middle East region. He said that Israel strives for a religious war, and it is the one adding fuel to the flames. "I say to the patient and resolute Palestinian people, and to the people of Jerusalem who are protecting the holy places: Feel good about the honor of protecting Al-Aqsa.” Anyone would laugh when they are told that a minority in a village is striking fear in the hearts of the overwhelming majority of that village population. Sadly this is the case here. We are standing helpless in front of an illegal occupying state full of illegal settlers. We did not do much when the Zionists burned the Al-Aqsa Mosque back in 1969 and I don't think that we will do much this time too even though we see what the Zionists are doing now. Whatever can be done now is in the hand of few strong Palestinians right now who are standing their ground at Al-Aqsa Mosque. They are carrying whatever is left of our dignity and pride. We as Muslim countries should take the opportunity and put our differences aside and make Al-Aqsa Mosque our main priority and the top issue that we have to deal with urgency. We need to be back on track and be on the same page as the few people who are standing their ground against these Zionists. We should unify politically and use whatever clout we have in our power to stop the Zionists aggression and designs.
— The writer can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @anajeddawi_eng
