Jerusalem-based archaeologist Abeer Zayyad spoke to Salaamedia’s Julie Alli on the events that have transpired in Jerusalem during the last couple of days.
![The Al-Aqsa compound is one of the most fractious issues in the Israel-Palestinian conflict [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ebf192a7a41149368e0e0f8d7af0a8b0_18.jpeg?resize=770%2C513)
JERUSALEM – Just days ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, Israeli armed forces attacked and evacuated Muslims attending prayers in Al-Aqsa, with tear gas and rubber coated bullets even though a ceasefire was declared less than a month ago.
“We cannot enter Al-Aqsa in the days leading up to Eid. Over 600 people are trying to pray in the mosque but Israeli forces have entered the mosque, started shooting and are not allowing people to enter the mosque. Some have been arrested,” said archaeologist Abeer Zayyad.
The Israelis have claimed that Al- Aqsa belongs to them and would like to demolish the Mosque in order to replace it with a temple. Zayyad said that it has been difficult for Palestinians to protect one of Islam’s holiest sites.
She said: “They are very close to demolishing Al- Aqsa and the people of Jerusalem are trying their best to protect it but it has not been easy because the Palestinians are either being injured or jailed. This has affected their ability to protect the Mosque.”
According to Zayyad, people have forgotten about Al-Aqsa and are no longer speaking about Jerusalem since the end of Ramadan.
When France was under attack, Muslims all over the world were protesting but we did not see this when Israel and Zionist have been [tormenting] us – Abeer Zayyad, Palestinian archaeologist
In Beitar, Palestinian families have been targeted to evacuate their lands because Israel wants to build a settlement on the very mountain that Palestinians farm.
Zayyad said, “Beitar is one of the places where people from the village were fighting together to protect their land – not just the people owning the land. They are not fighting with any weapons besides their own bodies and they believe in their rights. They are fighting very bravely.”
The Israelis are trying to incite the Palestinians by insulting Nabi (SAW) through images and language in front of the Damascus gate and on social media.
Watch the full discussion here:
