Palestinians assault Egyptian FM inside Al Aksa Mo

[Gość: AHMMAD]

Palestinians assault Egyptian FM inside Al Aksa Mosque
By JPOST.COM STAFF

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher left Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital
Monday night three hours after being attacked by a group of Palestinian
extremists at the Al Aqsa Mosque earlier in the evening.

Prof. Shmuel Shapira, head of the emergency ward at Hadassah Ein Kerem
Hospital said that Maher was in good condition. Israeli rescue workers
treated the Egyptian Foreign Minister for a half hour before he was
transferred by limousine to Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital. The hospital
spokeswoman said he was in good condition and would remain for observation
for an unspecified period. Emergency physician Rivka Katz, who examined
Maher at the scene, said he had "a choking feeling ... We did an
electrocardiogram and everything was normal."

In a phone call to Maher at the hospital, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
quipped, "I understand you will stay with us a while." Maher reportedly
thanked the Prime Minister, and said, "all in all the day I spent in Israel
was very pleasant," Ynet reported.

Jerusalem police said Maher was attacked inside the Mosque, and that there
were no Israeli guards with him inside the compound - as agreed in advance
with the Egyptian delegation.

Earlier in the day, Sharon indicated to Maher that Israel would respond
positively to a cease-fire by Palestinian militants, a senior Israeli
official said. In the past Israel has said a truce was not enough and
militant groups must be dismantled, as called for in the U.S.-backed "road
map" plan.

It was a rare assault on an official from a Muslim country at the site known
to Muslims as Haram as-Sharif, revered as the place where the Prophet
Muhammad ascended to heaven. Jews honor the site as the Temple Mount, which
housed the biblical Jewish Temples.

Witnesses said the protesters, several dozen in number, were members of a
small extremist group called "Islamic Liberation Movement." They shouted at
Maher, "You're not welcome here!" and charged that Egypt was helping Israel
oppress the Palestinians. "You are collaborating with the killers of
Muslims. "Collaborators in the crimes against Palestinians and Muslims are
not welcome!" "Allah Akbar!" and "Jihad in Egypt!"
" others shouted.

Egyptian officials said Muslim extremists were responsible for the assault,
Channel 1 reported. The officials said the extremists are a group with
influence in the Al Aksa compound.

Israeli officials said it was a pity that Muslim extremists used such a holy
site for violent purposes. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who had met with
Maher a few hours earlier, said the incident showed "there are still
extremist elements who oppose any peace efforts between Arabs and Israel."

Before entering the mosque, Maher was heckled by a group of Muslims at the
site, who called him a "traitor" and demanded to know why he was "meeting
the Jews." He was then asked if he wanted to go to his meetings, but he
preferred to pray first. Muslims then reportedly hurled shoes at him.
Channel 2 quoted diplomatic officials as saying Maher was most likely struck
in the face by a shoe. Maher's personal guards whisked him out of the
complex, where they were joined by Israeli guards.

The ambulance team reported that Maher was suffering from shortness of
breath and was treated on the spot before being taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem
Hospital in an armored car. Magen David Adom described his condition
as "good".

A special secret service unit cordoned the entire emergency ward at Hadassah
Ein Karem where doctors treated the Foreign Minister.

The channel 2 reporter said that one injured person – possibly a security
guard – was evacuated while connected to resuscitation equipment, but Maher
himself walked out on his own, surrounded by police, and only reluctantly
entered the awaiting ambulance.

An unruly crowd had begun gathering in the area before Maher's arrival.

Israeli police usually stay outside the compound, leaving security to the
Muslim Council.

AP contributed to this report