70 right-wing Israelis tour Aqsa compound, Palestinians denied entry
Feb. 3, 2016 12:27 P.M. (Updated: Feb. 3, 2016 12:27 P.M.)
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=770098

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Dozens of right-wing Israelis toured the Al-Aqsa Mosque
compound on Wednesday under Israeli police escort, while a number of
Palestinian men and women were denied entry to the holy site.

Witnesses said that as many as 70 Israelis entered the compound through the
Dung Gate, accompanied by nearly 20 Israeli Border Police and two Israeli
intelligence officers.

Israeli police meanwhile prevented a number Palestinian women and men from
entering the compound, saying that they were members of the blacklisted
Murabitat and Murabitun -- Muslim groups that protest what they see as an
increasing Jewish presence at the holy site.

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib told Ma'an that Israeli police were "escalating"
actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as well as the Ministry of
Endowments.

He said that Israeli police actions were "unacceptable" and were intended to
delay restoration work inside the compound.

Tensions have flared at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in recent months, and
many Palestinians fear that Israel is seeking to renege on a longstanding
agreement preventing non-Muslim prayer in the compound, although Israel has
denied that this is the case.

Large numbers of Jewish worshipers toured the compound during a succession
of Jewish holidays in September, and these tours, accompanied by
restrictions on Palestinian worshipers, played a major role in triggering a
wave of Palestinian protests in October.

The third holiest site in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is also
venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the
First and Second Temples once stood.

Jewish prayer is allowed at the neighboring Western Wall, which is the last
remnant of the Second Temple.