PA Mufti urges Palestinians to prevent Jewish “invasions” of the Temple Mount on Jewish day of mourning: “The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the sole right of the Muslims”

Headline: “The [PA] grand mufti and the [PA] Islamic-Christian Council call to stop the invasions of the Al-Aqsa Mosque”

“[PA] Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories and preacher at the Al-Aqsa Mosque Muhammad Hussein called on everyone who is able to come to occupied Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to stand against the occupation authorities’ plans and their attacks…

The mufti explained in a statement yesterday [Aug. 6, 2019] that the demands to allow Jews to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque next Sunday (a request was made that the Temple Mount be open to Jews on Tisha B'Av and for longer hours than usual; see notes below –Ed.), which will be the blessed Eid Al-Adha (i.e., the Sacrifice Feast), are dangerous demands that harm the faith of Muslims throughout the world. This is because the present stage is very dangerous, and the occupation authorities, due to the fact that they are facilitating the settlers’ invasions of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, are responsible for the consequences of these violations that harm the sensibilities of all Muslims in the world. He called on our people to stop [these invasions]…

The mufti explained that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the sole right of the Muslims, and that neither the occupation authorities nor anyone else have a right to interfere in its matters…

The [PA] Islamic-Christian Councilfor Jerusalem and the Holy Places warned yesterday against the calls of the alleged ‘Temple’ organizations to their supporters and the settler public to participate in the mass invasions of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the days of Eid Al-Adha, which is at the same time as the anniversary of the so-called ‘destruction of the Temple’ (i.e., Tisha B’Av).”

Muhammad Hussein also holds the positions of Palestinian Supreme Fatwa Council Chairman and Deputy Secretary-General and acting Secretary-General of the PLO Popular National Conference of Jerusalem

The PA and its leaders misrepresent all of the Temple Mount as an integral part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Therefore, they vilify any presence of Jews on the mount as an "invasion." It should be noted that Jews who visit the Temple Mount only enter some sections of the open areas, and do not enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Dome of the Rock. Israeli police ban Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount because of threats of violence by Palestinians. Preceding the Tisha B'Av fast in August 2019, the Students for the Temple Mount organization petitioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan, and the commanders of the Jerusalem district police to open the Temple Mount on Tisha B'Av for Jews, and for longer hours than usual.

Tisha B'Av - Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem (586 BCE and 70 CE) and the forced exile of most of the Jewish people from the land of Israel.

“Temple organizations” refer to religious Jewish movements including the Temple Mount Institute, the Temple Mount Heritage Foundation, the Initiative for Jewish Freedom on the Temple Mount, and Students for the Temple Mount, which spread awareness of the importance of the Temple Mount in Judaism and encourage people to visit the site.