Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2013-11-06

A proposed new bill to divide Al-Aqsa Masjid in Al-Quds (Occupied East Jerusalem) between Muslim and Jewish visitors has turned into a shouting match between Arab and Jewish lawmakers who exchanged insults and finger pointing.

According to media reports a Knesset session was called to discuss a new bill presented to allow Jewish visitation and prayer rights inside Al-Asqa masjid in Al-Quds.

“There is no Temple Mount. There is only the Aqsa Masjid, I don’t see a Temple Mount, it’s something virtual,” MK Jamal Zehlaqa shouted during the Knesset Committee for the Interior, Jerusalem Post reported.

The bill was originally drafted by a group of Likud Party activists calling themselves "Manhigut Yehudit" ("Jewish leadership"), led by Knesset Deputy Speaker Moshe Feiglin.

Israeli Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan said that time slots and specific locations should be allocated in which Jews might pray in the Aqsa Masjid compound. (calling in Mount Temple)

For his part, the head of Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, MK Mohammad Barakah, said that there are attempts to desecrate the holy masjid, stressing that the Palestinians are to defend their holy sites.

He also addressed the Israeli Rabbi as saying: “You have achieved great success as you turned this session into circus.”

Al-Quds represents the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict and is home to Al-Haram Al-Sharif, which includes Islam's third holiest shrine Al-Aqsa Masjid, and represents the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Over the past few weeks, a growing number of Israeli politicians and rabbis have been leading visits to Muslim controlled Al-Aqsa masjid.

MK Zehlaqa said that the Rabbi’s remarks aimed at falsification of history, noting that it would lead to the eruption of a third Intifada (uprising).

“You’re playing with fire and you’re starting an inferno,” MK Zehlaqa was quoted by the Jerusalem Post.

“I’m not threatening anything, I’m just saying what will happen.”

Earlier on Monday, Mufti of Jerusalem Mohamed Hussein warned that the bill spark fresh tensions among Muslims and Jews in the region.

"The Israelis want to expel the Muslims from Al-Aqsa Masjid to build their Temple Mount," Hussein told Anadolu Agency on Monday.

"We will stand against any action that aims to divide Al-Aqsa Masjid and its courtyards," Hussein said.

"These are Muslim holy sites. Jews have no right to pray there."

Nasser al-Rayes, a legal researcher for human rights group Al-Haq, said the bill was part of ongoing efforts by Israel to tighten its control over the occupied city of Al-Quds.

"With this draft law, Israel is implementing the final stage of its scheme to control the holy city," said Al-Haq

Meanwhile Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki has appealed to the Muslim world to save the Aqsa Mosque and the holy city from "Judaization" by Israel. – Agencies

(Twitter: @Faizie143 )