Jerusalem is on high alert Thursday as Israeli settlers threaten to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Palestine Liberation Organization, religious and cultural institutions and NGOs have issued calls to Palestinians to fill the Muslim holy site in protection.

Israeli police and soldiers are filling the streets wearing riot gear and carrying heavy arms. Horses, jeeps and police cars are patrolling the streets. Palestinians are being blocked access to the city. Most of those able to arrive are coming from within Israeli boundaries (’48 Palestine).

The occupying Israeli administration announced last night it would impose restrictions on the entry of Muslim worshippers into Al-Aqsa Mosque, among the most holy sites in the world for Islam.

A declaration was issued by Jewish communities and organizations to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and perform Jewish religious services inside the Muslim holy site. Israeli forces announced they would prevent Palestinians from entering the mosque if they are male and under 50 years of age. They made no specific mention of women.

Since early this morning dozens of Palestinian buses provided by the Islamic Movement leaders have been arriving; Palestinian flags are flying everywhere.

In a meeting with Sheikh Ikrima Al-Sabri, head of the Islamic Supreme Council, he told PNN, "It is no secret that Jewish extremists are working to overtaking Al-Aqsa Mosque and taking opportunities to implement their plans of aggression if they feel that this an appropriate time for them to control the mosque: and during this time in particular since the extreme right is dominant in the street as the Israeli government is. These incursions are not new but the new thing is to step up the numbers of Jewish extremists and the Israeli police guards aiding them".

He added, "They are trying to impose a new reality in the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, not only for visits and tours of provocation, but to try to take an aggressive new step, a practice of religious rites in the plazas of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This is dangerous and we do not accept it and reject it, and we hold the Israeli government responsible for any harm that comes to the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

Palestinians began arriving at the Mosque yesterday hoping to pack it tightly, but calls are issued daily to keep a heavy presence as the Israeli threat is unending. The Israeli administration and settlers are in the process of overtaking the area around the Mosque as well, including the Silwan and Al-Bustan neighbors via home demolitions and forced evictions. The Israelis are trying to create a “City of David” on the Palestinian land.

Citizen Walid said, “This attack requires the unity of our hearts to combat and our feelings toward Jerusalem and the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque must be strong. We need to pause in unity to repel the Israeli attacks that are coming in various forms."