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) nq.asa KUNA 131455 Apr 09NNNN