Erakat condemns raid on al-Aqsa compound by Israeli settlers

Chief Palestinian Negotiator, Dr. Saeb Erekat, condemned in a press release the Israeli official incitement and attacks against Occupied East Jerusalem, and particularly the latest Israeli raids of settlers and occupation forces on the Al-Aqsa compound. "We've witnessed this before, and we know what the consequences are. The entering of Al-Aqsa compound by a settler official and Knesset Member like Mr. Feiglin, in coordination with Israeli Occupation Forces, is a violation of the sanctity of the place as well as a direct provocation against Palestine, the Arab- and Muslim world." "At a time when the international community is calling on Israel to respect the sanctity of the holy places, Israel is deliberately attacking Palestinian Christians and Muslims in Occupied East Jerusalem. Israel provides security in the form of the army, police and mercenaries to escort settlers who systematically attack Christian and Muslim shrines in the occupied Palestinian capital." Dr Erekat said. Dr Erekat added: "The invasion of Al-Aqsa compound occurs at the same time as thousands of Palestinian Christians are being barred from accessing their holy sites in East Jerusalem. This is a vivid example of Israel's disrespect for freedom of worship and the Palestinian presence in Occupied East Jerusalem. Dr Erekat concluded: "Those who have been attacked while praying at Al-Aqsa or when trying to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher continue to ask whether the international community will end Israel's impunity or not. We have continuously highlighted the dangerous consequences of Israel's official and systematic incitement of attacks against Palestinians. It is time for the international community to take effective action on the ground in order to end decades of injustice, occupation and suppression of Palestinian rights."