In what is being seen as an extension of the commercialization of Israel's formal Judaization policies, an Israeli company has sparked wide condemnation for marketing a new lighter which has the Israeli flag superimposed on a picture of the Dome of the Rock in occupied Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa.

"Israel" is written alongside in Hebrew. Al-Aqsa Foundation for Religious Endowment and Heritage has called the company's act "a flagrant violation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and an attempt to Judaise it".

In a statement released to the media, the Foundation said that the Israeli occupation authorities "are trying, through state institutions and now commercial ventures to obliterate Islamic landmarks, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque".

The mosque has been the site of armed incursions by illegal Jewish settlers intent on carrying out Talmudic rituals inside Islam's third holiest mosque.

"This move emphasizes the threat to Al-Aqsa Mosque," claimed the Foundation.

"Israel is trying to strengthen its occupation and hold over Al-Aqsa," said the statement, "and this is not the first time that the image of Al-Aqsa has been used to promote Israeli goods."

This was a reference to an earlier use of the mosque's picture on Israeli wine bottles.

"Al Aqsa Mosque and its grounds belongs to the Muslims," affirmed the Foundation as it called upon Arabs and Muslims "to support Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa, and work to stop Israel's 'violation through Judaisation' of both."

MEMO/AB