Israel restrictions on access to Al-Aqsa Mosque flayed

The structure has been at the center of a complex row between the city council and the Jewish and Muslim groups, which respectively oversee the Western Wall plaza and Al-Aqsa Mosque compound next to it.
 “This shows their determination to Judaize Jerusalem and to take over the city’s Muslim holy places,” Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said.
The Hamas movement called in a statement for “our Palestinian people and Arab and Islamic masses to show their solidarity with the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy places.”
Israel “bears full responsibility for the consequences of this criminal act which constitutes a flagrant violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and a provocation to the feelings of millions of Muslims,” it added.
The ramp leads from the plaza by the Western Wall, the most sacred site at which Jews can pray, up to the adjoining compound, known to Muslims as Haram Al-Sharif, which houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.
Muslim leaders fear the demolition could have a destabilizing effect on the mosque compound and accuses Israel of failing to coordinate the renovation with the Waqf, which oversees Islamic heritage sites.
Speaking to AFP, Jerusalem Waqf head Azzam Al-Khatib said the organization was ready to undertake the work itself if Israel would agree.
“We can, and are willing to restore (the ramp) to the condition it was before or better, within days, if Israel allows it,” he said.