Israel hangs “Temple Mount” sign near Al-Aqsa Mosque

Jerusalem – The Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem set up on Wednesday a guiding signboard, reading “Temple Mount” in reference to the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The sign, which was placed close to the Al-Nather Gate (Council Gate) of the compound, was made available in three languages; Arabic, Hebrew and English.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem said changing the name of one of the Al-Aqsa Mosque's gates comes as part of the Israel’s continuous attempts to “Judaize” the Old City, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Islamic-Christian Commission in Support of Jerusalem and the Holy Sites considered the setting up of the sign by the Israeli authorities as a declaration of the proximity of building the alleged "Jewish Temple" on the ruins of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The commission drew the attention to the acceleration of plans and procedures of “Judaization” of Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that Israel, along with the help of its settlers and radicals, is in race against time to pursue the Jewish dream of building the Temple as soon as possible.

PLO Executive Committee Member and Head of the Department for Jerusalem Affairs ‎Ahmed Qurei said this dangerous measure comes in the context of a rapid judaization campaign, led by the occupation authorities against the Holy City and Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular.