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AL-AQSA AT RISK: Israeli soldiers patrol near the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Old Jerusalem where demolition work began Tuesday, sparking fierce clashes between the Israeli police and army and Palestinians. The entire area has been sealed while Islamic leaders have called upon the faithful, including all Islamic governments, to protest the work and protect Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The demolition work, proceeding amid regional condemnation and against the will of Islamic Wafq officials, is ostensibly to renew an ancient pathway that leads from the Moroccan Gate to Haram Al-Sharif, site of Al-Aqsa Mosque -- revered worldwide as the second most important Islamic sacred site and from where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven -- and the golden Dome of the Rock. The demolition work also encompasses two rooms under Al-Aqsa Mosque that date back to the Umayyad Dynasty that ruled between 661 and 750.

A joint statement signed by Mohammed Hussein, head of Jerusalem's Supreme Muslim Council, and Sheikh Abed Al-Atheem Salhab, head of Al-Awqaf religious affairs council, said "such a criminal attack against Al-Aqsa Mosque, its walkway, gate and western wall presages more perilous threats to Al-Aqsa, which Israeli authorities work incessantly to harm in order to complete their Judaising plan for occupied East Jerusalem."

Meanwhile, internecine conflict continues between Fatah and Hamas, both for power in the Palestinian street and control of the administration of Palestinian affairs. Some analysts have speculated that the timing of Israel's provocative actions near Al-Aqsa is clearly related to intra-Palestinian strife that distracts the attention of Palestinians and can be used by Israel for its own interests, including the Judaisation of Old Jerusalem.

Syria called on the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to move on behalf of the Islamic world to stop any Israeli actions that threaten the safety and sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

photo: AFP