RI Seeks OIC Support To Curb Israel Settlement Near Al-Aqsa

Jakarta, Dec 11 (Antara) - Indonesia seeks support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members in the UN forum to protest Israel`s policy of building a Jewish settlement near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, stated Indonesian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wardhana. "We can garner political support from the international community at the UN forum," claimed Vice Minister Wardhana in a written statement received by Antara, Wednesday. Speaking at the 40th OIC`s ministerial conference held in Conakry, Guinea Republic, on Wednesday, Wardhana pointed out that the Jewish settlement near Al-Aqsa Mosque has ruined the sanctity of the holy mosque, which is considered one of the most sacred places for Muslims around the world. History has borne witness to numerous clashes between Israeli settlers and the Palestinians near the Al- Aqsa Mosque. In 2012, several Palestinian worshipers were injured and three were taken into custody during the clashes that erupted between Palestinians and Israeli police and border guards in al-Haram al-Sharif compound, in the Old City of Jerusalem, after Israeli settlers attempted to storm in, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported. Since dawn, Palestinians began congregating in the compound after receiving calls from extremist settlers planning to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque and perform Jewish rituals in it. Several worshipers and three Israeli soldiers were reportedly injured in scuffles, whereas three Palestinians were arrested for pelting right wing extremist Israelis with stones and preventing them from entering the mosque, WAFA reported. Nasser Judeh, foreign minister of Israel`s neighbor Jordan, remarked that Israeli settlers breaking into Al-Aqsa Mosque would provoke the sentiments of Muslims, the state-run Petra news agency reported. During the OIC meeting, Wardhana also highlighted the importance of OIC members in supporting efforts to peacefully resolve the Syrian conflict and raising the same issue at the Geneva Conference to be held in early 2014. "The tragedy against humanity in Syria has been going on for two years. It must end soon," he stated.