'No contact with Israel unless measures cancelled at Jerusalem mosque'

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced a freeze of all contact with Israel until it commits to cancel measures in Jerusalem, especially at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"We reject the so-called e-gates as political measures that are covered by a false security cover," Abbas said in a speech on Friday after an emergency meeting of the Palestinian leadership.

The meeting included members of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the central committee of its Fatah movement and security chiefs, Xinhua news agency reported.

Abbas said that these gates "aim to impose control on Al-Aqsa Mosque and evade the peace process and its entitlements".

He called East Jerusalem their "eternal capital", and said will "continue to protect it and work for its liberation from the occupation".

He added that the Palestinian leadership will remain adjourned until further notice, urging Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Arab League, UN and other world powers "to shoulder their responsibility towards Jerusalem".

Abbas called on Palestinian factions, especially Islamic Hamas Movement to "unite the compass towards Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa and defend our sanctities and our national project".

He also pointed to a goal of allocating $25 million to strengthen the steadfastness of Jerusalem residents, citizens, institutions, merchants and others.

Abbas urged unity effort of Palestinian businessmen and other national institutions, as well as the Arab and Islamic funds related to Jerusalem towards the goal.

Palestinian Health Ministry said three Palestinians were killed Friday and nearly 400 others injured in clashes with Israeli forces after the Friday prayers.

--IANS

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