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Palestinians' Dilemma on Jerusalem's Temple Mount: Opposing Israel or Each Other?

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Pinhas Inbari - Several Fatah sources in east Jerusalem told me that on Sunday, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas instructed them not to escalate the situation in Jerusalem. Instead, they were to concentrate on the conflict with Hamas over Gaza. On Wednesday, Abbas delivered a policy speech in Beijing, China, and barely mentioned current Jerusalem issues. According to understandings between Israel and Jordan in 1967, the Temple Mount is to be used exclusively for Muslim prayers, Israel is responsible for its security, and the site is open for non-Muslim tourist visits. However, the PLO and Muslim movements never accepted the 1967 understanding, and want the status quo prior to 1967. That means Jews cannot enter the site, the Western Wall is Palestinian/Muslim, and the Palestinians will be responsible for security. If the Waqf insists on refusing to cross through the metal detectors, it risks other changes in the status quo - the municipality of Jerusalem will assume the role of maintaining the site instead of the Waqf and Jews will be allowed to enter the site without Waqf personnel escorting them. The writer, a veteran Arab affairs correspondent for Israel Radio, is an analyst for the Jerusalem Center.
2017-07-19 00:00:00
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