Extremist Israeli group requests UAE ambassador helps raid Al-Aqsa Mosque

An extremist Israeli group has requested the UAE ambassador to Israel join them on a raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Mohamed Al Khajah was sent a letter by the Temple Mount Heritage Fund group calling on the Emirati diplomat to help religious extremists during their next incursion of the Muslim holy site, as revealed late on Tuesday on Israeli state radio.

The group also called on their activists for assistance.

The message, related by The New Arab's Arabic-language service, said that his participation would demonstrate the strength of the Jewish association with the holy site.

It said: "The Jews have always dreamed that the day would come when the Temple Mount would be free".

By this, the group is seemingly referring to the transfer of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, into Jewish hands.

Al-Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam, has been under the stewardship of Jordan since 1924.

During the recent Israeli aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque, the United Nations asked Israel to remind itself of the "status quo" there.

The Heritage Fund's letter continued, claiming that "freedom of worship would be absolute, and it would be turned into a world centre for peace".

Despite claims of free worship, The New Arab's sister outlet said the group's Facebook page reveals it wants authority over the site to be exclusively Jewish Israeli.

The Heritage Fund sent its letter to Al Khajah to combat claims made by Rabbi Shalom Cohen following the UAE's ambassador's recent meeting with him.

The religious head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party told Al Khajah that Jews cannot attend the Temple Mount due to Jewish religious law.

This comes after the UAE ambassador was invited to attend a football match by the Israeli Football Association.

On Tuesday, Al Khajah and Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv, met at the City Hall.

Huldai tweeted: "We had some great discussions, and I look forward to creating real friendships and cooperations between #TelAviv-Yafo and the UAE."

Today I had the pleasure to welcome H.E. Mohamed Al Khaja, the first #UAE Ambassador to @Israel, to our City Hall. We had some great discussions, and I look forward to creating real friendships and cooperations between #TelAviv-Yafo and the UAE. pic.twitter.com/NBIPmP7l8L

— Mayor of Tel Aviv (@MayorOfTelAviv) June 1, 2021

The New Arab's sister service said this is part of a broader increase in contact with Israeli leaders, from top to bottom.

The UAE normalised ties with Israel last year during Donald Trump's presidency in a move widely criticised by Palestinians and pro-Palestine activists.

This even led to the formation of the UAE Resistance Union Against Normalisation.