The Israeli cabinet decided on Thursday night not to remove the metal detectors newly-installed at al-Aqsa gates in total disregard to the wave of anger that is currently sweeping the Arab and Islamic world over the measure.
According to Israeli media sources Israeli police decided on Friday morning that the metal detectors would remain in place following overnight discussions by the Israeli security cabinet.
The overnight meeting was attended by Israeli Security Minister and Israel’s police and Intelligence services.
During the meeting Israel’s intelligence service the Shin Bet expressed reservations regarding the installation of the metal detectors arguing that the anger sparked by the measure might outweigh the security benefits of keeping them.
Palestinian worshippers have been refusing to enter the holy site through the metaldetectors charging the step is an Israeli attempt to claimfurther control over the site.
The measure sparked daily clashes betweenworshippers and police with dozens of Palestinian injuries since last Friday.
A number of Arab and Islamic countries urgedIsrael to remove the gates saying it was a violation of the long-held statusquo under which the Muslim Waqf is in charge of running the holy site.
