This is one of the recommendations he outlined in his paper, “The Role of the Bangsamoro in Protecting Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa”, presented during the Symposium on Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Istanbul, Turkey on April 25, 2009.
He also called on the international community to recognize the fact that for the protection of Al-Majid Al-Aqsa the ownership, control and governance of the territory where it is located have to be under the Palestinian people. He pointed out that under Israeli rule, “not just the religious significance of Masjid el Aqsa which is being threatened but also its physical existence. In 1970, Israeli authorities started intensive excavations directly under the mosques in southern and western sides. In 1977, digging continued and a large tunnel was opened under the women’s prayer area, and a new tunnel was dug under the mosque going east to west in 1979. In 1984, the Archaeological Department of the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs dug a tunnel near the western portion. Around 60 meters from the mosque, the Israeli government started to excavate a site for archaeological remains in a location where they were going to build a pedestrian bridge in February 2007.”
He also said that Israel shall be held accountable to all violations of international humanitarian laws and human rights of Palestinian people, particularly the victims of Israel’s aggression in Gaza, and the international community should initiate filing war crime cases against Israeli leaders responsible for the atrocities. And support should be extended to the Palestinians in the reconstruction of Gaza, and seek compensation from Israel for the destructions in the territory.
The one-day symposium was organized by Istanbul Peace Platform the objective of which was to find ways for the protection of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and contribute to the Middle East peace process.