Palestine slams Israel for deportation of worshippers from Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al Aqsa Mosque

RAMALLAH, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Sunday slammed Israel for issuing deportation orders for Palestinians away from East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"Once again, Israel is bent on demonstrating its contempt for freedom of worship and religions, as demonstrably clear in its increased violations of the Palestinian people's freedom of worship, especially in occupied Jerusalem," said member of Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi.

The latest order was issued by Israeli authorities against the grand preacher of the Al-Aqsa mosque Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, banning him to enter the holy site for four months.

The Palestine Liberation Organization official accused Israel of taking "concerted and systematic efforts to execute its land grab plans accompanied by actions aimed at muting Palestinian voices, erasing Palestinian presence and stoking the fires of sectarian discord."

She called on Israel to respect the status of the holy site, as a place of worship.