The Israeli Knesset’s interior and environment committee discussed a bill to divide the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, in which a dispute between Arab and Israeli members of Knesset took place.

The Israeli Knesset’s interior and environment committee discussed a bill to divide the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, in which a dispute between Arab and Israeli members of Knesset took place.

The bill was drafted by Israeli Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan, who said during a meeting on Monday that time slots and specific locations should be allocated in which Jews might pray in the Aqsa Mosque compound.

Arab members of Knesset voiced opposition over the bill, considering it an attempt to desecrate the holy mosque.

MK Jamal Zehlaqa said that the Rabbi’s remarks aimed at falsification of history, noting that it would lead to the eruption of a third Intifada (uprising).

For his part, the head of Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, MK Mohammad Barakah, said that there are attempts to desecrate the holy mosque, stressing that the Palestinians are to defend their holy sites.

He also addressed the Israeli Rabbi as saying: “You have achieved great success as you turned this session into circus.”

On the other hand, the head of the Arab Movement for Change, MK Ahmad Tibi, said that the second Intifada had erupted because of the attack on al-Aqsa Mosque, considering that such bill could spark another Intifada.”

Earlier, Mufti of al-Quds (Jerusalem) Sheikh Mohammad Hussein warned against the bill, saying: “The Israelis want to expel the Muslims from Al-Aqsa Mosque to build their  claimed Temple Mount.”

"We will stand against any action that aims to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards," Hussein told Anadolu Agency.
"These are Muslim holy sites. Jews have no right to pray there,” the Mufti added.