Israel should heed Muslim sentiments over Al-Aqsa: CHP

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said on Tuesday that Israel should respect the sentiments of the Muslim world with regards to Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In his remarks in his party's parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Kemal Kilicdaroglu said: "Israeli government should heed our sentiments.

"We will never accept the ban on the worship in Al-Aqsa imposed by Israeli government. Every government should respect every faith."

The CHP leader said CHP's deputy group chairman Engin Altay, along with other CHP deputies, had visited the Palestinian Embassy in Ankara in a show of support.

Anger has spilled across the West Bank since last week when Israel shut the Al-Aqsa Mosque, venerated by Muslims and Jews -- who call the site Temple Mount -- following a deadly shootout.

The mosque was reopened after two days, with Israel installing metal detectors and cameras at its gates.

Three Palestinians were killed last Friday in protests against the Israeli measures around the holy site. Three Israelis were also killed in an attack in a settlement in the West Bank.

Israel's security cabinet decided late Monday to remove the metal detectors. A statement released after the meeting said a new surveillance system using "smart checks" based on advanced technology would be put in place.

Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians, and Al-Aqsa Mosque represents the Islamic world's third holiest site after the cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.