Israeli premier allows Knesset members to enter Al-Aqsa

By Abdel Ra'ouf Daoud Abdel Ra'uof Arnaout, Esra Cetin and Zeynep Hilal Karyagdi

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday gave permission to members of the Knesset -- Israel's parliament -- to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque once every three months, according to Knesset press office.

In a written statement, the press office said Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein and Chief Security Officer Yosef Griff discussed details of the special permission.

Edelstein, stating that the visit must be made as soon as possible, said every member of the parliament had the right to visit al-Aqsa like every Israeli citizen.

The speaker also called on each parliamentarian to avoid any provocation.

According to local media, Netanyahu's move comes after the recommendations of the Israeli minister of internal security and other senior Israeli police commanders.

By Abdel Ra'ouf Daoud Abdel Ra'uof Arnaout, Esra Cetin and Zeynep Hilal Karyagdi

JERUSALEM

In a written statement, the press office said Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein and Chief Security Officer Yosef Griff discussed details of the special permission.

Edelstein, stating that the visit must be made as soon as possible, said every member of the parliament had the right to visit al-Aqsa like every Israeli citizen.

The speaker also called on each parliamentarian to avoid any provocation.

According to local media, Netanyahu's move comes after the recommendations of the Israeli minister of internal security and other senior Israeli police commanders.