Sunday, Apr 10, 2005
Sunday, Apr 10, 2005 |
| International | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | International
JERUSALEM, APRIL 9. Israel's Public Security Minister on Saturday said police would prevent hundreds of Jewish extremists from storming the most hotly disputed holy site in Jerusalem as Palestinian militant groups stepped up threats to retaliate if the demonstrators enter the area. Israeli authorities have tightened security around the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in recent days, dispatching thousands of police personnel to guard the area ahead of Sunday's rally. The compound, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the most sensitive holy site in Jerusalem. Sacred to both religions, it houses the Al Aqsa Mosque, from where Muslim tradition says Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven, and also is built atop the ruins of the Biblical Jewish temple.
Against Gaza pullout
Extremist Jewish groups opposed to the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip have threatened to storm the site in hopes of sparking Muslim riots and disabling the pullout plan. A visit to the site by Mr. Sharon in September 2000 sparked riots that led to more than four years of bloodshed. The authorities have ordered the compound closed to all non-Muslims on Sunday. During Friday prayers, the mosque's top cleric, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, preached a fiery sermon. ``Muslims, both in this country and around the world, will not allow anyone to attack their faith or to pollute their mosque,'' he told the congregation, saying the mosque was an ``exclusively Muslim shrine''.
Threat of retaliation
``Any new violation of Al-Aqsa would spark a third intifada,'' he threatened. Palestinian militants, meanwhile, are threatening to call off their month-old cease-fire with Israel and resume attacks if the rally proceeds. Thousands of supporters of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups took to the streets throughout the West Bank and Gaza on Saturday. Many protesters waved green Hamas flags and chanted, ``They will only enter Al Aqsa over our dead bodies.'' A Hamas spokesman threatened harsh retaliation if the Jewish protesters reached the compound on Sunday, adding that the rally could spark a new Palestinian uprising.
— AP
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2005, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
