Al Aqsa mosque violations caused a ‘rage-wave’: FM Shoukry

CAIRO – 27 July 2017: The latest violations by the Israeli occupation forces at Al Aqsa mosque caused a “rage-wave” inside all Arab cities and countries, warning against any further escalations to the crisis, according to Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry Thursday.

He added during his speech at the emergency meeting of the Arab League Council at the level of Arab foreign ministers that the latest escalations that included imposing several security measures, taking illegal decisions and banning Palestinians from praying will “provoke the religious sentiments” of Muslims around the world.

“Egypt warned against the seriousness of these measures, and made several calls to both Palestinian and Israeli sides to put an end to escalating the situation” Shoukry added, saying that he hopes the “calm” that started Thursday morning will continue, and that the Israeli side will refrain from taking any other “provocative measures.”

Shoukry said that “Israel alone” should bear the consequences of the provocative measures taken against the mosque and Palestinians.

“The continuous measures and occupation by the Israeli government without a clear strategy for peace will increase the threat posed by the terrorist groups which use the use the anger of our Arab youth,” Shoukry added.

The Arab League council meeting kicked off under Algerian Foreign Minister for African and Maghreb Affairs Abdul-Qader Messahel earlier Thursday.

The meeting is attended by Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit, the Arab foreign ministers as well as their representatives.

The meeting is held at the request of Jordan to probe the Israeli violations committed recently against Al Aqsa mosque.

Several clashes have taken place since July 14 between Palestinians and Israeli forces close to Bab Al-Asbat, one of Al Aqsa mosque’s doors, and hundreds have been injured.

Al Aqsa mosque is considered one of the holiest Islamic places, after The Great Mosque of Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawī (the Prophet's Mosque) in Saudi Arabia.