The outrageous Israeli violation of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem A group of Jewish hardliners entered Al-Aqsa Mosque, sparking Palestinian protests later quelled by Israeli police. Writers looked at the significance of the incident and its impact on peace in the region. The Palestinian political daily Al-Quds wrote that what happened in Al-Aqsa Mosque was reminiscent of what happened in 2000 when Ariel Sharon entered the mosque and caused the eruption of the second Intifada. Today, Israeli practices, the deadlocked negotiations as well as the recent escalation of tension in Al-Aqsa could lead to new conflicts that could have more repercussions on the region. In fact, the newspaper editorial added, what Israel did in Al-Aqsa is in line with its general policy that aims to divide Jerusalem, carry on its settlement constructions plans, usurp Palestinian lands and kick Palestinian owners out of their land. All these practices lead to more tension and prove that Israel does not want peace. "Repeated attempts by Israeli hardline groups to enter Al-Aqsa under the protection of Israeli forces, and Israeli practices in Jerusalem in general, require putting Jerusalem on top of priorities in any move towards reviving the peace process," the edit read. And that needs a united strategic Arab and Islamic stand that not only denounces these practices but addresses all parties that seek peace. Israel is after an illusive peace process which would give it more time to carry out all its plans. That stand, as the edit added, should deliver a message to Israel and the world that Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem are red lines for the Arab and Islamic nations. Israeli practices should push the Arab and Islamic nation and international parties keen for peace to seriously move to stop them, the edit concluded. The Omani daily Oman wrote that at a time when all the world -- nearly without exception -- expects that Tel Aviv responds to the US attempt to boost peace in the region anew, Israel's practices in the occupied territories in general and in East Jerusalem in particular indicate that Binyamin Netanyahu's government is not interested in peace in the least. However, the edit read, it is not a coincidence that there have been repeated attempts by Israeli hardliners to enter Al-Aqsa under the nose of Israeli security. By facilitating these attempts, Tel Aviv aims to deliver a message to Israelis, Palestinians and to all the parties interested in boosting peace: Netanyahu's government is facing internal pressure and that it is responsible to keep its pledges made to those who elected it. That message represents a conspicuous challenge to the Palestinians, Arab and Islamic nation and to international law and resolutions that bans any attempt to change or judaise East Jerusalem. Thus, the edit called for an effective Arab move to refer present Israeli practices to the UN Security Council on the basis of the dangers of violating Al-Aqsa and the consequences on peace and security in the occupied territories and its effect on the Arab and Islamic public. "Israeli practices dissipate all hope for peace in the region. If that is what Israel wants, would the world stand by and watch Tel Aviv's challenge to international legitimacy?" the edit questioned. Adli Sadek wrote that Israel is escalating its confrontation with the Palestinians on all fronts. It first tried to impose a de facto situation on the ground, then refused to make any concession to the US Middle East envoy, the US president or the Quartet. It even escalated its confrontation with Egypt in UNESCO by opposing the election of Farouk Hosni as its secretary-general. But the Al-Aqsa confrontation, which revealed anew the Palestinian steadfastness in facing the Israelis, is a test to all the regimes that seek peace and are against extremism. "The attack against Al-Aqsa is to impede any peaceful settlement, continue building tunnels under the mosque, build more settlements, challenge the US peace envoy, and deepen the sentiments of Palestinians, especially those in Jerusalem, that nobody supports them," Sadek wrote in the Palestinian political daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida. Iran declared the presence of a new Uranium enrichment nuclear plant near Qom. In spite of the hardline Western position regarding Tehran's nuclear programme, Elias Harfoush argued that Iran's position is stronger after the declaration. He wrote in the London- based independent political daily Al-Hayat that the US administration is sending Iran contradictory messages that do not serve the hardline position it has taken on Tehran. First, Obama declared before the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh this week that military confrontation is a possible option on the table if Iran sticks to its present policies. Meanwhile, his Defense Secretary Robert Gates ruled out a military strike saying that economic and political pressure could be more successful than military confrontation. The writer added that the Iranian leader could deduce two things from the US messages: either there are differences within the US administration regarding Iran, or the US is resorting to diplomacy to buy time to prepare for a strike against Iran with or without Israel. However, the two options would make Iran stronger. The first option would make it decline to make any concessions to the US; the second would help it take a hardline stand against diplomacy, knowing it was not serious, Harfoush elaborated. In addition, Iran knows that the West, especially the US, suffers from two complexes -- Iran and Afghanistan. That is why it finds itself in a dilemma regarding Iran. In the meantime, any external escalation strengthens the Iranian regime internally. That explains why a senior official in the Iranian regime described it as currently being at the acme of power. Farouk Hosni's failure to get the position of UNESCO secretary-general was a chance to shed light on our status as Arabs. Buthayna Shaaban wrote that Hosni's battle was not a personal one on any level. Many parties and embassies connived to prevent an Arab, whatever his nationality or qualifications, to get the position. Shaaban wrote in the London-based political daily Asharq Al-Awsat that it was not a fair battle between candidates but a fight to stop an Arab from holding the position. Hosni's battle together with other similar battles showed that the West puts all Arabs in one basket regardless of whether they are moderates or hardliners and regardless of their nationally or ethnic origin. Shaaban asked when Arabs would unite their ranks to improve their status. If they do, they would be able to get international posts and international respect with less effort. By Doaa El-Bey
