Israeli politician criticised for al-Aqsa remarks

Sheikh Yousef Ideis, head of the Muslim Sharia courts in Jerusalem, has attacked Israeli right-wing politician Jeremy Gimpel for suggesting that the Dome of the Rock might be 'blown up' one day. Ideis described the Habayit Hayeudi candidate's remarks as "a challenge and an attempt to provoke Muslim emotions." Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ideis said: "The comments made by Gimpel at a recent lecture in Washington urging that the Dome of the Rock is blown up and a temple is built in its place are in blatant violation of international law. The al-Aqsa Mosque is too great and pure to be used as a political card for electoral gains." Ideis accused Israel of orchestrating "an unprecedented attack on Islamic and Christian holy sites in Palestine, especially the holy city of Jerusalem, the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque and the sanctuary of Abraham." These practices, he said, "require attention and alertness from Muslims," adding that there needs to be more of a presence at the al-Aqsa Mosque "to protect it from the dangers it faces." The cleric said Arab and Muslim countries needs to do more to "save" Jerusalem and protect it from "Judaisation."