Qorei appeals to Israel to thwart Al-Aqsa mosque strike
AFP
Date: 03-17-05
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) - The Palestinian prime minister appealed to Israel to thwart any strike against Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, amid reports that Jewish extremists were plotting to take over the disputed holy site to disrupt the planned evacuation of the Gaza Strip (news - web sites).
"We warn that the region will explode if there is any attack against Al-Aqsa," Ahmed Qorei told reporters Thursday after talks with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Peterson.
The site, which is known as the Temple Mount to the Jews and the Noble Sanctuary for the Muslims, is the world's holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest place in Islam.
"There is a serious threat that some Israeli fundamentalists want to attack Al-Aqsa and we appeal to Israeli security that you have enough time to stop any attack like that," Qorei added.
Late Wednesday, Israel's Channel Two television showed a video of Jewish plotters, including rabbis and far-right extremists, discussing ways to occupy the Temple Mount at a secret meeting in Jerusalem's Old City.
The participants, who the television said includes representatives from 30 groups, discussed whether to stage the action before or after the start of the planned Gaza pullout that is due to be launched in July.
Dozens of police reinforcements were deployed around the compound in mid-February for fear of an attack by Jewish extremists trying to sabotage Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s Gaza plan.
For his part, Peterson pledged that Norway would donate 34 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites).
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