Only nuclear bomb can stop Israeli digging, Egypt MP says
Pastor Dale Morgan
Only nuclear bomb can stop Israeli digging, Egypt MP says*
Egyptian parliament convenes special meeting to discuss works near
Mugrabi Gate; legislators from President Mubarak's party call to
'trample' 1979 peace treaty with Israel; 'that cursed Israel is trying
to destroy al-Aqsa mosque,' member of President Mubarak's party says
Reuters and Ynetnews
"That cursed Israel is trying to destroy al-Aqsa mosque...Nothing will
work with Israel except for a nuclear bomb that wipes it out of
existence." Mohamed el-Katatny of President Hosni Mubarak's National
Democratic Party (NDP) told the Egyptian Parliament.
During the special parliamentary meeting, which was convened to discuss
controversial renovations near the Mugrabi Gate in East Jerusalem, other
members of el-Katatny's party called to revoke Egypt's 1979 peace treaty
with Israel.
"The war with Israel is still ongoing whether we like it or not," NDP
legislator Khalifa Radwan said.
Mohamed Amer, another ruling party member, said: "What this (Israeli)
gang is doing makes me demand that we trample over all the agreements we
signed."
The parliament has little say in national security issues or foreign
policy, ultimately dictated by Mubarak who has rejected similar calls in
the past.
'Incitement for political gains'
Israeli leaders have stated that the works, meant to fortify an existing
structure outside of the Temple Mount, are causing no damage to Al-Aqsa
mosque and that Arab claims to the contrary are nothing more than
incitement by extremists.
Last week, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said "There are irresponsible
people, who know perfectly well that there is no damage being done to
any holy site, who are abusing the Israeli democracy to incite religious
sentiments for political gains."
Nonetheless, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski suspended construction late
Sunday night in response to recent Arab-Israeli protests and Israeli
authorities said on Monday they would reconsider the planned
construction work near the mosque.