Palestinian President accuses Israel of igniting ‘religious war’November 11, 2014 - 17:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Palestinian President has accused Israel of igniting a "religious war" by allowing Jewish worshippers to visit a contested holy site in Jerusalem. Mahmoud Abbas says the visits are provocative, and that Palestinian worshippers will defend the site, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. Jews are allowed to visit, but they are not supposed to pray there. An increase in the number of visits has sparked clashes and raised Muslim fears that Israel is plotting to take over the site. Abbas' remarks — at a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat — came as Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian demonstrator in clashes in the West Bank on Tuesday. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |