Israeli Minister Karhi Says “Jerusalem’s Gates Will Reach Damascus”
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi sparked outrage on Sunday with remarks linking the occupation of Jerusalem to Damascus. During a visit to Israeli tunnels under Al-Aqsa mosque’s Al-Buraq Wall, Karhi declared, “The gates of Jerusalem will one day reach the gates of Damascus,” referencing Zionist religious beliefs.
Karhi broke into Al-Buraq Wall tunnels, under Al-Aqsa mosque on Sunday morning. He performed rituals under the holy mosque, accompanied by settlers.
The visit coincided with heightened tensions in the occupied Palestinian capital city. Earlier in the day, Israeli settlers entered Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy Israeli police protection. They performed Talmudic rituals as part of the Hanukkah celebrations.
Karhi’s statements come as Israeli forces escalate assaults in southern Syria. This month, Israeli troops advanced to within 40 kilometers of Damascus, according to local sources. Israel has also intensified airstrikes targeting Syrian military infrastructure and remnants of the Assad regime’s army.
Israel has been accelerating efforts to Judaize the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erasing its Arab and Islamic identity.
In recent developments, Israel declared the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria null and occupied the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights. The move has been condemned by the United Nations and Arab nations.
