Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset Ahmad Tibi says Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to try and calm the tension in the Old City of Jerusalem was unacceptable.
He accused the Israeli government led by Netanyahu of being behind the ongoing escalation in the holy city.
Speaking to Ma’an, Tibi added that “the statement Netanyahu’s office released is unacceptable as I don’t agree to be viewed as an instigator if I go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“It is natural that I show (myself) in al-Aqsa, while the presence of extremist Jews there is provocative and instigative.”
Tibi described Netanyahu as “a thief who tries to help find stolen things which he himself stole.”
Following pressure by the United States and Jordan, Netanyahu released on Saturday evening an “exceptional” statement calling upon Knesset members to try and calm the escalating situation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“Show responsibility and restraint,” Netanyahu wrote in his statement.
Commenting on that, Ahmad Tibi accused Netanyahu and his Likud lawmakers of creating the current escalation and “playing with fire.”
“The problem lies in the ruling party and the Likud lawmakers and their supporters. They are the ones who stir up the situation by storming Al-Aqsa Mosque. They are the main cause of what is going on in addition to Netanyahu’s decision to shut down the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslims.”
(Ma'an News)
