Hundreds of people came out to Parliament today as clashes erupted this morning in the occupied Jerusalem for a second day in a row after Israeli security forces stormed the Masjidul-Aqsa compound and fought with Palestinian worshippers. As a result the community of Cape Town marched to show their solidarity with the people of Palestinian.

The demonstration was said to be aimed at raising awareness to further incursions on the al-Aqsa compound by Israeli forces, with concerns that the countries Zionist regime may be attempting an aggressive assault to take full control of the highly contentious religious site.

Sheikh Riad Fataar, the first deputy president of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), says the Al-Aqsa mosque is now in grave danger as the mosque has come under daily attack by the occupying forces and the extremists that are entering the compound.

“Ordinary people of Palestine are now protecting the compound and we see how the Zionists are forcing people to worship the way that they (Zionists) wish,” he said.

No division plan

The issue of al-Aqsa has been contentious as according to a 50-year long agreement, Jews and people of other religions are allowed to enter the compound between 7:30am and 11:30am local time, but are not allowed to pray. However Palestinian worshippers believe that far-right Jews have been provoking them by praying, thus violating the agreement.

“We call for no division. The Zionist cannot dictate when we must pray, the most basic human right of people is to worship. They have reserved the right to tell Muslims when they are able to pray in the mosques,” Sheikh Fataar went further.

“The first people to stop these attacks on the mosque are the women and we admire them. We have seen the videos about the assaults on the mosque,” Fataar added.

“We are standing up, we are telling the world that Al-Aqsa is in danger, we are telling the Palestinian people that we are supporting you”.

Reverend June Major, an Anglican Priest said that she will continue to support this cause as she believes in “freedom for justice” and because this is a stand for humanity.

“To be silent in the face of injustice is saying that I’m a part of it so I’ll continue until Palestine is free,” Reverend Major explained.

BDS activist Bram Hanekom says that the march today will not fundamentally change the situation, but says that we have the right to express our right around any issue.

“It is absolutely shocking at what they (Zionists) continue to do to Al-Aqsa Mosque and what they (Zionists) continue to do to Palestine,” Hanekom added.

“We have come here today to protest against the ongoing occupation of Palestine as well as the terrible attacks on the al-Aqsa compound”.

The violence at the compound has occurred during a period which saw Jewish as well as Islamic religious holidays being undertaken. VOC (Umarah Hartley)