JERUSALEM: Israeli police broke into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday JerusalemAccording to Palestinian medical workers, a flashpoint for Jewish visitors to the Old City to secure the way to the holy site, which injured 17 Palestinians.
The unrest came two days after clashes with the Palestinians at the same location. Violence between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem a year ago turned into an 11-day Gaza War.
The mosque’s hill complex is the third holiest site in Islam, while it is also the holiest for Jews, who call it Temple Mount. Competing claims on the site have led to several rounds of violence.
This year the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Christian holy week ends in Easter Sunday and the week-long Jewish Passover is taking place at the same time, with thousands of visitors flocking to the city after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
Israeli police accused Palestinians of “desecrating and desecrating” a holy site, while Palestinian officials accused Israel of trying to divide the sensitive holy site. What happened at the Al-Aqsa Mosque is an alarming escalation, the repercussions of which the Israeli government alone will suffer. Nabil Abu RadnehPalestinian presidential spokesman Mahmood Abbas,
Police said they entered the compound to facilitate the regular visit of Jews to the holy site.
He said Palestinians had stored stones and erected barriers in anticipation of violence. Police said they were committed to ensuring freedom of worship for Jews and Muslims.
Police escorted Palestinians out of the sprawling area outside the mosque early on Sunday, while dozens of Palestinians remained inside the building chanting “God is great”.
Videos released by the police showed small groups of youths throwing stones, as well as fireworks being fired from inside the mosque.
Palestinians reported brief clashes with Israeli police just outside the mosque complex, while police said Palestinians pelted stones on tour buses outside the old city, injuring some passengers lightly.
Police released a video showing a crowd of youth pelting stones just outside the Old City. Another video of police taking them inside one of the buses showed Jewish families sitting on the floor of the vehicle as it continued on its way.
Palestinian Red Crescent The medical service said 17 Palestinians were injured, including five who were hospitalized. Israeli police reported nine arrests. By noon, eyewitnesses said the police had left the premises.
Under a long-standing understanding, Jews are allowed to visit Temple Mount, but are prohibited from praying there. For decades, Jews avoided worshiping there for religious reasons.
Israeli officials say they are committed to maintaining the status quo, but in recent years large groups of nationalist and religious Jews have regularly visited the site with police protection, which Palestinians see as a provocation. Huh.
The number of visitors often increases during religious holidays. Palestinian officials said around 550 Jewish visitors entered the complex, compared to only a few dozen on most days.
Such practices have fueled concern among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to take over the al-Aqsa mosque complex or divide it. Israel strongly denies such claims, saying it is committed to protecting freedom of worship for all.
Police said Palestinians had thrown stones toward the Western Wall, a nearby Jewish holy site, as clashes broke out at the site before dawn on Friday. Police entered the force soon after the morning prayers and clashed with dozens of Palestinians.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City along with the West Bank and Gaza, in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want a future state in all three regions.
Israel annexed East Jerusalem as it is not recognized internationally and is building and expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. Hamas controls Gaza, which has been under a blockade by Israel and Egypt since the Islamic militant group seized power in 2007.
A radical Jewish group recently called on people to bring animals to the site to be sacrificed for Passover, offering cash rewards for those who succeeded or those who tried. Israeli police work to prevent such activities, but the call was widely circulated by Palestinians on social media, as well as calls from Muslims to stop any sacrifices.
Israeli police accused Palestinians of spreading propaganda on social media, increasing tension.
The unrest came two days after clashes with the Palestinians at the same location. Violence between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem a year ago turned into an 11-day Gaza War.
The mosque’s hill complex is the third holiest site in Islam, while it is also the holiest for Jews, who call it Temple Mount. Competing claims on the site have led to several rounds of violence.
This year the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Christian holy week ends in Easter Sunday and the week-long Jewish Passover is taking place at the same time, with thousands of visitors flocking to the city after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
Israeli police accused Palestinians of “desecrating and desecrating” a holy site, while Palestinian officials accused Israel of trying to divide the sensitive holy site. What happened at the Al-Aqsa Mosque is an alarming escalation, the repercussions of which the Israeli government alone will suffer. Nabil Abu RadnehPalestinian presidential spokesman Mahmood Abbas,
Police said they entered the compound to facilitate the regular visit of Jews to the holy site.
He said Palestinians had stored stones and erected barriers in anticipation of violence. Police said they were committed to ensuring freedom of worship for Jews and Muslims.
Police escorted Palestinians out of the sprawling area outside the mosque early on Sunday, while dozens of Palestinians remained inside the building chanting “God is great”.
Videos released by the police showed small groups of youths throwing stones, as well as fireworks being fired from inside the mosque.
Palestinians reported brief clashes with Israeli police just outside the mosque complex, while police said Palestinians pelted stones on tour buses outside the old city, injuring some passengers lightly.
Police released a video showing a crowd of youth pelting stones just outside the Old City. Another video of police taking them inside one of the buses showed Jewish families sitting on the floor of the vehicle as it continued on its way.
Palestinian Red Crescent The medical service said 17 Palestinians were injured, including five who were hospitalized. Israeli police reported nine arrests. By noon, eyewitnesses said the police had left the premises.
Under a long-standing understanding, Jews are allowed to visit Temple Mount, but are prohibited from praying there. For decades, Jews avoided worshiping there for religious reasons.
Israeli officials say they are committed to maintaining the status quo, but in recent years large groups of nationalist and religious Jews have regularly visited the site with police protection, which Palestinians see as a provocation. Huh.
The number of visitors often increases during religious holidays. Palestinian officials said around 550 Jewish visitors entered the complex, compared to only a few dozen on most days.
Such practices have fueled concern among Palestinians that Israel is plotting to take over the al-Aqsa mosque complex or divide it. Israel strongly denies such claims, saying it is committed to protecting freedom of worship for all.
Police said Palestinians had thrown stones toward the Western Wall, a nearby Jewish holy site, as clashes broke out at the site before dawn on Friday. Police entered the force soon after the morning prayers and clashed with dozens of Palestinians.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City along with the West Bank and Gaza, in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want a future state in all three regions.
Israel annexed East Jerusalem as it is not recognized internationally and is building and expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. Hamas controls Gaza, which has been under a blockade by Israel and Egypt since the Islamic militant group seized power in 2007.
A radical Jewish group recently called on people to bring animals to the site to be sacrificed for Passover, offering cash rewards for those who succeeded or those who tried. Israeli police work to prevent such activities, but the call was widely circulated by Palestinians on social media, as well as calls from Muslims to stop any sacrifices.
Israeli police accused Palestinians of spreading propaganda on social media, increasing tension.