Palestinians scored a limited victory in their daily struggle against the Israeli occupation after sounding the alarm on what many deemed an attempt to spatially divide Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews, similar to what happened at Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron after 1994. Under pressure and amid clashes between Palestinians and occupation forces, Israeli authorities took down Tuesday metal detector gates at the entrances to Al-Aqsa compound, mounting smart cameras in their place. Sheikh Raed Daana, director of preaching and guidance, said clerics and Jerusalem residents demand a return to the status quo prior 14 July. “We will not agree to cameras,” asserted Daana. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem escalated after Israel mounted metal detectors at the entrances to Al-Aqsa 16 July, the most violent occurring on 21 July, the “Friday of Rage”. Palestinians participated in a sit-in near the metal detectors, held prayers there and organised peaceful demonstrations to oppose new security measures after a shootout at the mosque 14 July that killed three Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers. Radical right wing leaders in Israel believe the oppression of worshippers at Al-Aqsa could weaken the will and resilience of the Palestinian people and their determination to press for their rights. They also seek to erase the Arab-Islamic character of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian political analysts are calling for Fatah and Hamas to come together to confront Israel. They add that the US, international community and Arab rulers should shoulder their responsibility towards Palestine and reach real solutions to the Palestinian issue. Osama Al-Qawasmi, spokesman for Fatah, said his group is ready to reconcile and hold meetings with Hamas if they take certain steps. Hamas, meanwhile, said it is willing to accept reconciliation proposed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, but no arrangements were made for talks between the two sides. Israeli experts, meanwhile, are concerned that increased tensions due to events at Al-Aqsa could lead to more Palestinian attacks and escalating confrontations that may reach other Israeli areas. Amir Bohbot, Israeli military expert, said on the Hebrew website Walla! that stabbings by Palestinians at Halamish settlement that killed three settlers was the third such attack in one week, triggered by tensions over Al-Aqsa Mosque. Bohbot added the Israeli army is in a dilemma because it is trying to strike a balance between defusing tensions while also protecting settlers in the West Bank. The army said it will reinforce its troops by four combat units. A military affairs correspondent at Yedioth Ahronoth said the attack at Halamish in the West Bank reveals clear security failure, an inability to monitor Facebook pages of suspects, and that the perpetrators were able to dodge surveillance systems surrounding settlements. Attackers at Halamish and Al-Aqsa posted their final testimonies on their Facebook pages hours before the operations, but the Israeli army and Shin Bet (domestic intelligence) did not reach them before they carried out the attacks. Meanwhile, Palestinians reject Israel's move to carry out smart searches using sensitive surveillance cameras at Al-Aqsa. Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohamed Hussein said Palestinians will accept nothing less than returning to previous arrangements. “Religious and political leaders absolutely reject any measures that change the status quo at Al-Aqsa since the beginning of occupation in 1967,” he reiterated. Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council and Al-Aqsa Mosque's chief preacher, said the occupation is looking for alternatives to the problem they created. “We do not accept this step and will not accept any alternative,” he said. “They want to prove they have the upper hand in Jerusalem and at Al-Aqsa. That is their problem, not ours.” Abbas's adviser, Mahmoud Al-Habash, said the president's decision to suspend all communications with Israel includes security exchanges. Analysts said that a new reality emerged after Palestinians responded en masse to violations at Al-Aqsa and continued attempts to Judiacise Jerusalem and holy sites. They add that this response ended the silence of Arab and Palestinian leaders who thought that Palestinians no longer have the will to struggle because of Israel's oppression and the collusion of some regimes. Once the people remained on the streets, regimes began to call on countries that have favour with Israel to prevent further escalation, and declared that Jerusalem and holy sites are under Palestinian sovereignty. In truth, Arab leaders, including the Palestinian Authority, are weak, inadequate and slow in reacting. At the same time, some regimes are unable to change roles, to avoid being overthrown, and those defending Al-Aqsa have rattled them. Meanwhile, officials are dealing with Israel reticently because they do not want any bargains made with Tel Aviv to be revealed. It is increasingly apparent, however, that the Palestinian people will evolve their struggle without relying on the Arab or Islamic worlds. By defending Al-Aqsa, they also forced the hand of the Palestinian Authority. The next few hours and days will reveal if the Palestinian people agree to praying at Al-Aqsa under smart surveillance systems mounted at the compound, or if they refuse and insist on a return to pre-14 July arrangements.
