Imam of al-Aqsa tells MEE: We will enter al-Aqsa tomorrow

Dr Sheikh Ekrimah Saeed Sabry, the imam of al-Aqsa Mosque and the former grand mufti of Jerusalem, spoke to MEE a few minutes ago.

He called the decision to close al-Aqsa on Thursday an "aggressive move taken by the occupying authorities to placate hardline right-wing Israelis.

He said that, after the decision, Jewish worshippers will not be able to "complain about being prevented from praying at the compound" because Israeli authorities have also prevented Muslims from praying there.

However, Sabry said, the comparison is "void...because Muslims are the ones who have the right to al-Aqsa."Today, no-one is entering al-Aqsa. We will wait until tomorrow to see what the situation will be.

"If they open it tomorrow, there will be no problems. But if the closure continues tomorrow, Friday, there will definitely be tensions and disorder - the Israeli government is responsible for those tensions.

"If we are prevented from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque tomorrow, we will insist on entering."