Waqf defies Israeli court order to close al-Aqsa Mosque gate
Tehran (KNA) - The Islamic authority that oversees Muslim holy sites in Israeli-occupied Jerusalem al-Quds has dismissed an Israeli court order to shutter Bab al-Rahma (Gate of Mercy or Golden Gate) in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, with Palestinians calling for mass protests against the ruling.
Sheikh Abdel Azeem Salhab, head of the Islamic Waqf (Endowment) organization, stressed on Tuesday that the court's decision does not apply to the al-Aqsa Mosque.
"It is our right, religious and contractual to access the Golden Gate and keep this door open for Muslims to pray," he said in a statement issued after an emergency meeting of the organization seated in Jordan, which is the custodian of the holy sites in occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.
"We will not respond to courts of the occupation regarding the issue of Bab al-Rahma and Al-Aqsa Mosque and it [does not have authority over the matter]," he added.
Israel closed Bab al-Rahma in 2003, alleging that it had turned into a place for political activities against the Tel Aviv regime.
For the first time in 16 years, the Islamic Waqf defied Israel's ban and re-opened the gates to Palestinian worshipers last month.
Source: PressTV