In an unprecedented move, Muslim worshipers on Friday expelled Palestinian Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Mohammed Hussein from al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented him from completing his sermon.
The protesters shouted slogans in support of Hamas and denounced Hussein for his affiliation with the Palestinian Authority.
Hussein is considered the most senior representative of the PA at al-Aqsa Mosque compound. A resident of east Jerusalem who holds an Israeli-issued ID card, Hussein often appears next to PA President Mahmoud Abbas at public events.
The protesters accused Hussein of “ignoring” Hamas and the Gaza Strip and forced him to stop his sermon.
“We are the men of Mohammed Deif,” hundreds of angry worshipers shouted as bodyguards whisked the mufti away from the mosque.
Deif is the supreme commander of Hamas’s military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Other worshipers shouted: “Go away, go away, we don’t want to see the dogs of the Palestinian Authority.”…
