Chief Palestinian Justice being tried by Israeli government for protesting destruction at Al Aqsa

(Jerusalem) Palestine News Network

Saturday, 17 February 2007

The Israeli government is continuing to excavate at Al Aqsa Mosque and to target those trying to stop it. Tens of people have been taken from their homes in the middle of the night, snatched off the street, even arrested at school. Among them are several Palestinian officials and Islamic scholars. After the arrest and interrogation, most are let go if they will sign a form promising they will not return to the Old City of East Jerusalem. Sheikh Taysir Tamimi will be tried in an Israeli court tomorrow for entering Al Aqsa without permission and encouraging protests. The Chief Palestinian Justice will go before the Israeli Magistrate Court in West Jerusalem's Mascobia, Russian Compound, Detention Center on Sunday at 1:00 pm. He is being tried for entering Jerusalem to attend Friday prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque without obtaining prior permission from the occupying power in the city. Sheikh Tamimi told reporters on Saturday that his trial is purely political as there is no legal basis from which the Israeli government can levy charges against him. Under international law the Israeli government has illegally annexed the city of Jerusalem and has no authority there. It was occupied in 1967 along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Chief Palestinian Justice said, “There is no force on earth that can prevent me from returning to Al Aqsa Mosque or take away my right to enter Jerusalem.” Israeli forces have arrested the Sheikh several times in the past on the same charges: entering Jerusalem and praying in Al Aqsa Mosque without a permit. Demonstrations have been ongoing daily since Israeli forces began the destruction of Moroccans Gate (Al Maghrarbeh) next to Al Aqsa Mosque in Al Haram Ash Sharif. That is on hold for now, but the excavations under Al Aqsa Mosque that began long before the destruction at the Gate continues unabated.