BICOM

Further violence took place at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount yesterday as Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian rioters who had barricaded themselves inside the al-Aqsa Mosque with firebombs, rocks and other projectiles.

The Temple Mount has become a significant flashpoint in recent months, with serious clashes taking place in a similar incident just two weeks ago. The site, which is holy to both Jews and Muslims is administered by the Jerusalem-based Islamic Waqf religious council. Although Jews are permitted to visit the site in small groups, they are not allowed to pray there for fear of subsequent violence. Despite Palestinian suggestions otherwise, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated earlier this week that, “We are preserving the status quo … We are not violating it and all comments that we intend to harm Muslim holy sites are completely baseless.”

On Sunday night, Channel Two broadcast pictures of Palestinians once again preparing barricades and stockpiling projectiles within the al-Aqsa Mosque, with the aim of targeting non-Muslim visitors the following morning, the first day of the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Israeli authorities subsequently barred Palestinian men under 50 from entering the site for fear of clashes.

An Israel Police spokesperson said that officers attempted to negotiate with the Waqf to instil calm, but that talks failed. As a result, Israeli police entered the Temple Mount compound yesterday morning, in order to seize “dangerous devices intended to harm visitors to the site and police and endanger their lives,” according to a police statement. As they moved in, firebombs, firecrackers and rocks were hurled at police, igniting a small fire at the entrance to the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Although one officer was lightly injured, police eventually succeeded in restoring order. They said that 24 Jewish visitors and 450 tourists eventually visited the Temple Mount yesterday. However, as the week-long Sukkot holiday continues, further clashes are feared.