Scottish MP makes one-sided statement on Al-Aqsa Mosque violence
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Scottish MP makes one-sided statement on Al-Aqsa Mosque violence

Israel's Foreign Ministry releases footage of Islamic extremists appearing to provoke clashes during Ramadan prayers

Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor

Youth coming from the al-Aqsa Mosque moving towards the back of the Western Wall throwing stones and using fireworks during April 2022 clashes (Twitter)
Youth coming from the al-Aqsa Mosque moving towards the back of the Western Wall throwing stones and using fireworks during April 2022 clashes (Twitter)

A Scottish MP has called for a debate “on the rights of the Palestinian people” after referencing the violent clashes with Israeli police at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

But her one-sided take on the violence that has erupted at the Muslim holy site, came as Israel produced evidence showing Islamic extremists throwing stones and fireworks at Jews going to pray at the Western Wall.

Yair Lapid, Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister also tweeted video footage showing Muslims wanted to take part in Ramadan prayers preventing extremists from provoking further violence at Al-Aqsa mosque.

SNP parliamentarian Anum Qaisar had told MPs in the Commons on Thursday that Al-Aqsa “is one of the holiest sites in Islam, and it is one of the very few places where Palestinians can exercise a degree of sovereignty.”

She added: “Recently, during this holy month of Ramadan, we have seen violence, with over 150 Palestinians injured in clashes with Israeli police.

“The conflict has the potential to escalate further, so will the Leader of the House make way for a debate in Government time on the rights of the Palestinian people?”

Mark Spencer responded for the government during the Topical Questions session saying: “I think it should be the right of every human being to live in security and peace.

“These are of course delicate matters, and I am sure there would be an opportunity at Foreign Office questions for her to ask Ministers directly how they can assist in bringing peace to the area.”

Footage released by Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Friday showed violent Palestinian rioters on the Temple Mount setting off fireworks in the direction of the Western Wall, where Jewish people had gathered to pray.

The Foreign Minister tweeted: “In the early morning hours hundreds of violent rioters began mass riots on the Temple Mount that included stone throwing and setting off fireworks.

“Despite the riots, police did not respond in order to enable worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque to complete the prayer.

“During the protests one masked rioter who was hurling stones towards the Western Wall was injured and was evacuated by medical crews.

“The Palestinian Red Crescent has reported a total of 4 injured at this time.

“We call on all regional and international actors to condemn this violence, reject fake reports and contribute to maintaining calm during the upcoming days.”

Later Yair Lapid tweeted footage of “Islamic extremists” were thwarted in their attempt to provoke further violence at Al-Aqsa mosque.

He wrote: “This is what truly happened on the Temple Mount this morning: a small group of Islamic extremists tried to take over Al-Aqsa Mosque. They want to forcibly remove the moderates who simply want to observe Ramadan and pray in peace.”

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