Palestinian and anti-Israel media is reporting of “Jewish settlers” and “Jewish extremists” desecrating “Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
But in an indication you should probably take their reports with a grain of salt, they cannot agree on what exactly happened.
Version 1: Ma’an News – “Jewish extremists” taunted Muslim worshipers
Jewish extremists taunted Muslim worshipers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Thursday, witnesses said.
Over 130 Israelis entered the compound from the the Moroccan Gate, escorted by Israeli police.
They chanted “Al-Aqsa will be destroyed,” “The temple is coming soon,” and “Soon Al-Aqsa will be in our hands,” as they toured the compound, witnesses told Ma’an.
Palestinian worshipers confronted the visitors, leading to tense verbal confrontations, they added.
Azzam al-Khatib, director-general of the PA Ministry of Endowment, said Wednesday that Israeli police had rejected a request to stop the visits during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Wednesday.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Ma’an he was not aware of the request. Rosenfeld said Jewish and Christian visitors regularly entered the compound in coordinated visits and that the tours would continue.
Version 2: Press TV – Several “settler groups” and soldiers stormed Al-Aqsa mosque, shouting, laughing out loud and showed no respect for the place.
Several Israeli settler groups have stormed al-Aqsa mosque from the Moroccan gate in recent days, including youths, children, mentors and soldiers in their military uniforms. The settlers shout and laugh out loud and show no respect for the place. Palestinian officials say the break-ins are part of the Israeli plan to divide the mosque and to impose a fait accompli in the holy city.
Palestinian authorities have asked Israeli authorities to stop the break-ins during the fasting month of Ramadan. But they have said no. Sometimes the attacks provoke Palestinian worshipers and almost cause confrontations. That’s because settlers perform deliberate acts of disrespect with no regard to the sanctity of the mosque.
Version 3: WAFA – Israelis toured and descrated Al-Aqsa mosque compound, by dressing in shorts and improper clothes, holding prayer rituals and destroying olive branches.
Around 100 Israelis desecrated Monday the Muslim holy site, al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem when they toured the compound dressed in shorts and improper cloths for a holy place, according to sources from the Muslim Waqf, which is in charge of the Mosque compound.
They said the Israeli fanatics, who were escorted by police, held prayer rituals and destroyed olive branches in the yards in a clear provocative manner to the feelings of the hundreds of Muslims who were on the site and who reacted yelling Allah Akbar (God is great) in Arabic.
Israeli fanatics are increasing their provocative tours of the Muslim compound to create daily presence there with a goal to eventually take it over and build their temple on the ruins of al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
Version 4: World Bulletin – “Jewish settlers” used force to enter the Al-Aqsa mosque forecourt, while shouting slogans against Arabs and Islam.
Jewish settlers on Wednesday entered the forecourt of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem through the use of force, and shouted slogans against Arabs and Islam.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque Guards said that about 100 Jewish settlers entered the al-Maghreb gate and forced access to the forecourt of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.Spokesman of Al-Aqsa Foundation and the Cultural Heritage Institute Mohamed Abu al-Ita told Anadolu Agency that “led by a rabbi, a group of settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque with the use of force. The community blocked them from accessing the Dome of Rock. The settlers tried to provoke our community and shouted slogans against Arabs and Islam.”
Version 5: Al-Manar and Paltoday – “Israeli extremists” stormed Al-Aqsa mosque fields and tried to reach the roof of the Qubbat Al-Sakhra (rock dome) Mosque
Dozens of Zionists stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque fields on Wednesday, which marked the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Paltoday reported.
The Palestinian news agency said that around 100 “Israeli” extremists stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque fields through Al-Magharibah gate, under intensive protection by the “Israeli” police.
Four rabbis accompanied the Zionist settlers who entered the mosque in groups, Paltoday added, pointing out that “they also tried to reach the roof of Qubbat Al-Sakhra (rock dome) Mosque, but were prevented from doing so.”
Notice how each version ascribes different acts to the Israelis, ranging from mere loud and frivolous behavior (Press TV), immodest clothing, destruction of property and praying (WAFA), shouting very specific slogans calling for destruction of Al Aqsa mosque (Ma’an), shouting against Arabs and Islam while forcing their way in (World Bulletin) and storming the place while trying to reach the roof of the mosque (Al-Manar).
Granted, the WAFA version is from Monday July 8th, while the World Bulletin and Al-Manar/Pal Today versions are from Wednesday July 10th, and the Press TV and Ma’an versions are from Thursday July 11th. But this does not undermine my point.
- One would expect the later version to report on incidents from the previous days had they actually occurred (after all, when demonizing Israel, one wants to use all the material they can)
- The Press TV version reports on occurrences “from recent days”, thus covering earlier in the week
- The Press TV and Ma’an reports are from the same day, yet report events differently
Of course, we already have precedents of false reporting of Jewish visits to the site (and pretty much everything else to do with the conflict), so it is not such a stretch to believe we are being fed yet more lies.
Update: Photos from the area here, including the following:
There’s also video here and here. It all looks pretty peaceful and respectful behavior by the Jews, with the worshippers chanting angrily at them “Bil-ruh, bil-damm, nafdik ya aqsa” which means “With our souls and blood we shall redeem you, oh Al-Aqsa.” (hat tip: EoZ)
