LOC14:55
11:55 GMT
RAMALLAH, April 13 (KUNA) -- Israeli settlers stormed the courtyard of
Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday, Jerusalem's old city.
Palestinian witnesses in Jerusalem said the settlers, led by radical
leaders, stormed the place while protected by the Israeli police, when
Palestinian worshipers tried to stop them police officers attacked them and
arrested one Palestinian man.
Palestinians say police also harrassed other worshipers who were performing
their midday prayers at the Mosque.
Palestinian sources said Israeli police did little to stop them, adding
that the groups made three attempts to get in. Witnesses said the extremists
were disguised as Palestinians.
Since last week, the Al-Quds committee of the Arab League announced that
local activists and youths were present around the clock at the gates of the
mosque to prevent such intrusions which tend to happen during Jewish holiday
periods such as this weekend's Passover festival.
This is not the first such attack as last Thursday Israeli right-wing
extremist groups attempted to enter the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in
Jerusalem's old city.(end)
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