A Jerusalem-based organisation has uncovered a plan by Jewish groups to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque as a prelude to building "the Temple" on the mosque's ruins.

In a press statement, Al-Aqsa Endowments and Heritage Foundation said that members of Israel's ruling Likud Party claim that this will take place on Sunday 12 February. Right-wing Hebrew internet sites have called for thousands to take part alongside a delegation from Likud led by Moshe Feiglin.

Al-Aqsa Foundation said that the organisers are calling on "everyone to ascend the Temple Mount for the announcement by a sound leadership confirming total control over the mountain in order to cleanse the site of the enemies of Israel; the thieves of the land, and to construct the Temple on the ruins of the mosque."

The Foundation issued warnings over the "feverish" Israeli calls to storm the mosque, saying that they "reflect the premeditated intentions of the Israeli occupation authorities towards Al-Aqsa Mosque". This, a spokeman added, requires the Arab and Muslim world to "assume their responsibilities in the face of Israeli arrogance".