Qatar Wednesday condemned remarks made by an Israeli minister calling for enhancing Israeli sovereignty over Al Aqsa mosque and allowing Jewish and all visitors to storm into Al Aqsa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Qatar views these remarks as irresponsible, and a desperate attempt by Israeli Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan to change the legal and historic status of Al Aqsa mosque, which is in turn a severe violation of international law and Geneva conventions, in addition to being the latest of persistent Israeli provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world.
The statement stressed on the importance of ending all Israeli acts of aggression against Al Aqsa mosque and on maintaining its legal and historic status.
In Ramallah, the Palestinian presidency warned Israel against attempts to change the existing status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque, and condemned in particular the Israeli minister's remarks.
"We condemn these statements aimed at increasing tension and fuelling the feelings of the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic nations," the presidency said in a statement, stressing that "Al Aqsa Mosque is a red line and will not be touched in any way."
The statement held the Israeli government responsible for the provocations and attacks by Jewish fanatics on religious places in occupied Jerusalem, especially against the Al Aqsa mosque.
It called on the international community to intervene to pressure Israel to stop these provocations, which if unchecked will lead to a situation that will not be controlled and will have very serious consequences.
The presidency asserted that the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, is in co-ordination and continuous contacts with the various parties to bring to a halt the attacks against Al-Aqsa mosque by Jewish extremists under the protection of the Israeli government.
In Baghdad, Iraqi Foreign Minister of Iraq Mohamed Ali al-Hakim discussed during a phone conversation with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Malki the situation in the region.
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said al-Hakim reiterated Iraqi support to the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people's struggle for their rights in establishing their sovereign state with Al Quds as its capital.
Agencies add:
Earlier this week, Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshippers clashed at the holy site, wounding dozens of Palestinians and four police.
The police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al Aqsa mosque compound.
The Red Crescent reported 61 Palestinians wounded, 15 of whom were taken to hospitals.
Police said four officers were wounded as Palestinian protesters threw stones and other objects at security forces, who responded with what they called riot-dispersal means.
Seven people were arrested, police said.

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