Israel decides to remove metal detectors outside Al Aqsa mosque

Israel decides to remove metal detectors outside Al Aqsa mosque. Israel authorities have decided to remove the metal detectors outside the holy site of Al Aqsa Mosque in the old city of Jerusalem which had created unprecedented tension between the Israelis and the Palestinians and threatened to spill over to the Arab world.

Israel's security cabinet accepted "the recommendation of all the security bodies to change the inspection with metal detectors to a security inspection based on advanced technologies and other means," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

The move came after intensive international diplomacy which warned of increasing unrest due to this move by the Israeli authorities. Muslim religious authorities say the metal detectors violate a delicate agreement on worship and security arrangements at the Jerusalem site and have urged Palestinians not to pass through.



Prayers have been held near an entrance to the complex. 

The Arab World with Sunni population including UAE had denounced of this move by Israel and had warned of serious consequences in the regional and international efforts to revive the peace process stating that the region would slip into a new crisis. Israel and Palestinians were close to a showdown over Israel’s decision to install a metal detector at the entrance of the Mosque following a shooting incident at the site last week , which killed five people including two Israeli police officials . 

Israeli authorities had earlier said that though the government is committed to maintain statusquo , the use of metal detectors are important to protect the worshippers. Al Aqsa Mosque is one of the holy sites for Sunni Muslims located in the old city of Jerusalem. It is revered both by the Muslims and the Jews.