Jerusalem, Israel - A Muslim leader in Israel, who is alleged to be a Hamas supporter, reportedly has said the entire Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem belongs to his religion.
Sheikh Raad Salah, head of Israel's Islamic Movement, made the claim although Islam was founded 550 years after the temple, Judaism's most sacred site where a synagogue is now planned, was destroyed, reports Arutz Sheva.
Salah was quoted as saying the synagogue plan could lead to violence and bloodshed. "The day will never come when a Moslem or an Arab will have the right to cede even one foot of the Al-Aqsa Mosque or of Jerusalem," his Al-Aqsa movement said.
The Arutz Sheva report said Temple Mount was the site of the two Jewish Holy Temples, the first of which was built by King Solomon. After the Romans conquered the entire land, the Second Temple was destroyed.
Uri Ariel, who is leading the synagogue's idea, says every Supreme Court ruling on the issue has recognized the right of every Jew to pray on the Temple Mount.
"The synagogue will not interfere with believing Moslems who wish to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque," Ariel said.