Israeli authorities have prevented the delivery of ceramics for ongoing refurbishing of al-Aqsa Mosque, ceramics donated by Turkey, the Ma’an news agency reports. The shipment contained 168 boxes.

Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib said the ceramics were banned by Israeli authorities because the government claims full sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, despite being internationally recognized as occupied land.

Project coordinator Rami Sub Luban said Israeli police were told they did not have the necessary permission to allow the delivery of ceramics, despite all arrangements and coordination having been made prior by the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sub Luban added that Israeli police insist on receiving special permission to permit the delivery, which contains boxes of 4,200 handmade ceramics, costing 80 euros per tile.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)