TEL AVIV — Social media users from across the Arab world, including journalists and politicians, have been celebrating what they characterized as a major victory for the Palestinians at the Temple Mount after Israel decided to remove all security arrangements at the various entrances to the complex.
Protest leaders, including top Palestinian officials, claimed the metal detectors were part of an Israeli conspiracy to hamper Muslim worship on the Mount. Israel’s new security measures were put into place in direct response to a Palestinian terrorist attack at the Mount two weeks ago in which three assailants somehow smuggled weapons onto the site.
The Jordanian-Palestinian journalist and analyst Yasser Zaatreh wrote, “The occupation’s surrender is a big lesson for anyone willing to learn. Jerusalem won by force of will and the resistance. Those who made this victory can achieve an even greater victory.”
Egyptian journalist and author Waiel Kandil wrote, “The battle for Al Aqsa: The removal of the electronic metal detectors and the cameras is an exclusive victory for the resistance. … Proponents of normalization will try to pollute this victory with talk of deals under the table.”
Saudi journalist and columnist Ahmad al-Assiri wrote, “After dozens of disappointments, what happened at the Al Aqsa Mosque is the first victory over the Zionists since the Balfour Declaration. … Al Aqsa is a red line.”
Kuwaiti parliament member Majed al-Mutairi wrote, “Allah, as you allowed us to see the victory of the worshippers over the occupation, please allow us to pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque when it is liberated from the occupation and its impurity.”
A female Syrian journalist, Noor Haddad, wrote, “They said no to the metal detectors and then stayed true to their struggle. The people won’t be defeated as long as the spirit of the struggle is preserved among them, blessings to Jerusalemites, blessings to us.”
Dr. Mamoun Abu Amer, an academic and political analyst from Gaza, said that the campaign around Al Aqsa was a religious one: “The campaign victory of Al Aqsa is a message to all those who seek to separate the religion from the struggle against the occupation!!”
Another Gazan, the journalist Dawood Abu Dalfa, wrote, “The victory of Jerusalem in the battle for prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque and the taking of the right to pray by force is the first step in the liberation of Palestine and the Al Aqsa Mosque from the hands of the enemy.”
Iraqi journalist Jasem Alshamri wrote, “That prayer that will take place today at the Al Aqsa Mosque will be a turning point in the history of this people. It will be a prayer of victors, it will be a declaration of victory … of peace over evil.”
Saudi journalist Turki al-Shalhoub wrote, “The victory of the worshippers at the Al Aqsa Mosque over the Zionists and forcing them to remove their detectors against their will – we’re waiting for their departure from all beloved Palestine.”
A Gaza political scientist, Arafat Hanieh, wrote, “Today they (the Israelis) are carrying their failure, tomorrow they’ll carry their suitcases and leave. The struggle of the Palestinian people won’t be in vain.”
An Algerian social media user, Naseema, wrote, “I swear, when I heard of the victory at Al Aqsa I started screaming Allah is great, Allah is great, a thousand blessings and congratulations to the worshippers. Al Aqsa boasts and praises its people. Al Aqsa is proud of its people.”