Cairo, July 22 (Petra) -- The League of Arab States strongly condemned calls by Israeli settler organizations for large-scale incursions into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound to coincide with what they refer to as the "anniversary of the destruction of the Temple," describing them as a dangerous escalation and a serious violation of the historic and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and an infringement on the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.

In a statement, the Arab League's Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector said the calls, and any measures taken by the Israeli authorities to facilitate or protect such actions, are part of systematic Israeli policies aimed at imposing illegal facts on the ground in occupied Jerusalem, in violation of international law and relevant U.N. resolutions.

The Arab League's General Secretariat held Israel, as the occupying power, fully responsible for the consequences of these violations, warning of their serious implications for regional security and stability and their impact on prospects for peace.

The organization called on the international community, particularly the U.N. Security Council, the United Nations and UNESCO, to fulfill their legal responsibilities by taking urgent and concrete measures to halt the violations, ensure the protection of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, preserve its historic and legal status quo, and respect the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The Arab League also reaffirmed its longstanding support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to establish an independent and sovereign state on the pre-June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

//Petra// AF