Abbas’ comments below strengthen the argument for an undivided Jerusalem under Israeli control. Only under Israeli rule has there been access to religious holy sites. From 1948-1967, under Arab rule, synagogues were sacked, worshipers were barred from their holy sites, and the holy city was in ruins.

The Jerusalem Post reports – “Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas of preventing thousands of Palestinians from making the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Israel Radio reported on Saturday night.

Abbas told reporters in Mecca that Israel had never once prevented Palestinians from making the holy visit. [This year], Palestinians wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia through Egypt were not given permits and both Fatah and Hamas were blaming each other for the incident.”

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