CLOSURE OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE

That this House condemns the closure of Haram al-Sharif and the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem by Israeli authorities in yet another attack on Palestinians and Arabs; considers this action to be totally unjustified and highly provocative; believes that the move has nothing to do with security but amounts to further persecution of Palestinians and Arabs wishing to pray at the holy site; notes that Israel continues to press ahead with its illegal settlement programme and will build 1,000 Jewish-only housing units in occupied East Jerusalem, in flagrant breach of United Nations' resolutions and criticism by its biggest supporter and contributor, the US; is convinced that these actions clearly demonstrate that Israel has no interest in a peaceful and negotiated settlement; and urges the Government to protest in the strongest terms to its counterpart in Israel and to convey its support to the Palestinian authorities.