The storming of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem by the Israeli Special Forces for the second day in a row on Monday morning is a further act of provocation. Muslim worshippers, including the elderly, were forcefully evacuated to allow right-wing Jewish Israelis to tour the compound freely.

An editorial in Sharjah-based newspaper, Gulf Today, said that it should be noted that for several years, Jewish worshippers and tourists were not allowed into the Al Aqsa compound during the last ten days of the Holy Month of Ramadan, as these days are particularly sacred to Muslims.

"The 10 days, which began on Sunday, attract the highest number of worshippers to the site," the paper said. "The latest incident is one more disgraceful act by the Israeli authorities who broke an implicit agreement on access during the Holy Month."

Israel had resorted earlier to a similar attempt at incitement on Sunday that led to clashes, and the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that it took seven Palestinians to an East Jerusalem hospital for treatment of injuries from sponge-tipped bullets, tear gas and beatings.

The editorial continued, "Such acts of provocation are not new to the occupation forces. The Israeli military had recently revoked permits for 83,000 Palestinians to visit Israel in what was largely seen as collective punishment, which is banned under international law."

"In the last few months, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed for flimsy reasons. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has said that nearly 50 years of occupation has had a devastating impact on Palestinian lives undermining the belief in a peaceful resolution to the conflict."

Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in April 2014. According to the English language daily, the quartet of Middle East mediators, the UN, US, European Union and Russia, is now finalising a report on the conflict expected to be critical of Israel.

"Palestinian anger with Israeli occupation and settlement building in the West Bank and the complete lack of progress in peace efforts have sparked more unrest. It is long known that Israel is just not interested in peace. Years of negotiations have not helped end its despicable occupation."

The paper concludes by saying that all that Israel wants is to simply drag the issue out so that it could buy more time to build colonies.

"Hence it is necessary that the international community takes a more proactive role in making Israel see sense. Ending the ruthless occupation is the one and only way out to restore peace in the region. Too much time has already been wasted."

Source : WAM