Israeli demands to hire a rabbi in al-Aqsa Mosque

In a move to underline its claim, the so-called "Temple Organization" has urged the Israeli government and ministers to hire a rabbi in Al-Aqsa Mosque and set the Jewish menorah over the Dome of the Rock during the Jewish holidays (Hanukka) marking these days, according to Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage. According to the foundation, the demand, which was made public for the first time yesterday, was presented eight months ago but the Israeli government did not officially respond to it. "A series of statements and correspondence on this topic were recorded during the last few months and days that clearly describe the risk regarding the holy Mosque," the foundation said. They added that there existed a state of tension yesterday within the Al-Aqsa Mosque, triggered by the restrictions on the entry of worshipers, excluding others even as Israeli settlers have been stepping up their campaigns of storming the Mosque and its surroundings.