Israel imposes strict security measures on eve of 'destruction of the Temple'

The Israeli police on Saturday adopted strict security measures in preparations for visits by settlers to mark the "destruction of the Temple".

Local sources said that the Israeli police have deployed in the roads leading to the Old City.

Jewish settler groups, known as "Temple Mount" organizations, recently urged all Jewish settlers to storm the holy site to mark Tisha B’Av Day, a Jewish holiday commemorating the destruction.

Tisha B’Av, which means “the ninth of the month of Av’, commences on Saturday, July 25 and ends on Sunday 26. This day is marked by fasting and mourning by Jews to commemorate what they believe was the destruction of the temples that they claim stood in the place of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They also pray on this day for the rebuilding of the temple in the self same spot.

These organizations have presented an appeal signed by 1,000 Israelis to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding that Al-Aqsa Mosque be open for Jews via the Moroccan Gate round the clock starting Sunday 26 July until the end of the week.

The organizations reportedly demanded that Al-Aqsa be entirely closed to Muslims starting Saturday evening and all day Sunday. They also requested the holy site to be closed to Muslims during proposed provocative Israeli visit hours from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. from Monday to Thursday next week.