The professor of Jerusalem studies and the former officer of media and public relations at Al-Aqsa Mosque Abdullah Maarouf said the uprising of Bab al-Rahma (Gate of Mercy) derived its victory from the uprising of the Asbat Gate (The Tribes Gate) and the victory of the Jerusalemites in removing the electronic gates there in 2017” adding that there is no future for the Israeli project in occupied Jerusalem.
In an exclusive interview with the Palestinian Information Center Marouf said that Jerusalemites are aware of the Judaization plans of the Israeli occupation describing the closure of Bab al-Rahma as an act of stupidity which was confronted with full force by the people of Jerusalem.
He stressed that Jerusalemites thwarted the Israeli occupation and its settlers’ efforts aiming at the Judaization of Bab al-Rahma 16 years ago pointing out that the challenge now is to protect this great achievement.
He said: “This is the achievement of the great Palestinian people of Jerusalem no one can jump and claim that this achievement is his/hers the same as Jerusalemites managed before to remove the electronic gates and by gathering in masses in front of Alasbat Gate.”
Marouf a researcher in Jerusalem affairs said: “The so-called current or existing situation that the occupation is trying to impose by controlling Al-Aqsa Mosque and its squares is rejected by Jerusalemites and what is needed is liberating Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
He stressed that the key to the victory of Jerusalemites after the support of God is their unity and having a united demand that is opening Bab al-Rahma and being able to pray inside it; commending the decision of the Council of Awqaf to open it constantly and appointing a permanent Imam there.
He said: “The unity of the people and their vigilance and their knowledge of ways to deal with the occupation is one of the main reasons for this victory in addition to the numbers of Jerusalemites and their unity which made the occupation fear them.” He stressed that the occupation authorities are weak in front of approximately 35000 Jerusalemites who live in the Old City.
The efforts of journalists media professionals and social media activists in conveying the truth about Al-Aqsa Mosque and Bab al-Rahma was also important he noted stressing the importance of the media battle against the misleading Israeli narrative.
He also thanked the lawyers who defended the Jerusalem youths and its elders who were arrested by the Israeli police. The lawyers also won a decision from the Israeli Central Court that the closure of Bab al-Rahma is the responsibility of the Heritage Committee only.
He pointed out that the decision does not change the fact that Al-Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims as well as the illegality of the occupation saying: “According to international law Al-Aqsa is not part of the mandate of the Israeli courts; because it falls within the sovereignty of Jordan which is recognized by the Israeli occupation too.”
He stressed that “whatever the occupation thinks of the issue it will not find any way to deal with the uprising of Bab al-Rahma and the people of Jerusalem and there is no future for its projects of Judaization.”
He said: “The Israeli retreat in Bab al-Rahma was not a gift from Netanyahu so that he would threaten to take it back but it was a victory imposed by the balance of power.”
He pointed out that “the Zionists are frequently defeated at Al-Aqsa Mosque; if they like to stand up to the masses they will be defeated again and again and they will keep receiving a blow after another and every time the price will be heavier. Let this message be understood.”
