World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkish NGOs will on Monday gather in Taksim to protest Israel's provocative actions at Masjid-i Aqsa.

Israeli police shut a compound housing Islam's holiest sites in Jerusalem on Sunday and fired tear gas as dozens of Palestinians in protest.

Palestinian medical officials said nine people were treated for minor injuries including tear gas inhalation. Israeli helicopters were also spotted flying overhead.

Extremist Jews stormed the mosque compound last week.

After the reports that thousands of Jews forced to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque again, a group gathered in front of the Consulate General of Israel in Levent to protest the raid.

On Sunday, a group of people condemned possible raid of extremist Jews and Israeli practices.

The group spent all night in front of the consulate building, the group announced they would also stage a big protest today in Taksim, a main square in Istanbul.

The police took extra security measures around the Consulate.

In solidarity with al-Aqsa mosque and Palestinians, NGOs said in a joint statement, "the occupying Israeli forces raid and siege al-Aqsa. Dozens of Palestinians were wounded and many were arrested in Jerusalem as they tried to protect the Masjid-i Aqsa."

The organizations called all people in Turkey to respond to this situation, saying that "a large protest will take place in Taksim on Monday at 17.00 pm."

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the Muslims' first Qiblah [direction Muslims take during prayers] and the third holiest shrine after Al Ka'bah in Makkah and Prophet Muhammad's Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Its significance has been reinforced by the incident of Al Isra'a and Al Mi'raj — the night journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Israel has been working hard over the past years to Judaize the holy city and change its Islamic identity. It has been adopting a series of oppressive measures to force the Palestinians out, including systematic demolition of their homes.