Israel tightening grip on Al-Aqsa mosque

The director of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday warned that Israel is tightening restrictions on the Muslim holy site in Jerusalem. Sheikh Najih Bkeirat said Israeli forces seized the keys to the Moroccan Gate to allow extremist Jewish settlers access the compound, reported Maan news agency. Israel has imposed strict restrictions on the entry of worshipers to the mosque and delivered military orders banning several citizens, clerics and dignitaries from Al-Aqsa, Bkeirat said. Since the Israelis do not enjoy full control of the mosque, added Bkeirat, they want to deprive it of a “strong administration which will implement Arab and Islamic policies.” Since 2004, 217 Palestinians have been deported from Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to Bkeirat. He highlighted that 65 students and teachers were deported in one day and 35 others were deported on another day. Sheikh Bkeirat has been working for the Palestinian ministry of endowment since 1977. He has been banned from Al-Aqsa Mosque seven times since 2003, for various lengths of time. Between 2000 and 2004 he was not allowed to travel abroad and Israel prohibited him from speaking to the media throughout 2012, Bkeirat said.