Alsheikh slams Waqf for overstepping role
Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh says the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf is attempting to 'redesign reality' with the goal of undermining Israeli sovereignty.
Alsheikh also added the Waqf does not need to "become hysterical over everything," and "as long as the Waqf does its job, we will be happy. People need to understand there is a sovereign here who maintains order and allows freedom of worship."
Alsheikh was touring the area near Hagai Street and the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City with Border Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai on Friday.
"They seem to have the feeling they can redesign reality and undermine our sovereignty," said Alsheikh, referring to the Palestinian narrative that "Israel was defeated" in the Temple Mount crisis.
The police commissioner explained the police bolster the Waqf to maintain calm and religious freedom, but, "The Waqf needs to understand its role and where that ends. Where that role ends—Israeli sovereignty begins."
"As long as the Waqf does its job, we will be happy. Wherever we need to do our job, we will do it. Whoever knows and understands this doesn't need to become hysterical over everything," he added.
Alsheikh went on to say, "In the end, it depends on the police on a daily basis. There are many players here and at the end of the day, the behavior of the people is what matters. One takes into account what the Waqf says, the other takes into account what the mufti says, the third what (Palestinian President) Abbas says and the fourth what (Turkish President) Erdogan tells him."
