Clashes Erupt: Israeli Security Forces Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

A peaceful, fair and just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict exists.

After the Muslim conquest in the 7th century A.D., the Dome of the Rock was built to shelter an exposed slab of bedrock where tradition says the Prophet Mohammad rose to heaven.

There were also age restrictions on Muslims entering the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem’s Old City, with men under 40 prohibited.

Al-Quds said dozens of Palestinians in Jerusalem were injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets fired by Israeli police during confrontations across Jerusalem on Wednesday.

“Al-Aqsa is for Muslims”, she said.

Brief clashes had also broken out on Sunday, and afterwards young Palestinian protesters were seen preparing to “defend” the mosque during Sukkot, stocking stones inside the shrine and barricading doors. By noon the site was quiet, police said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas raised the pitch on Al-Aqsa Mosque violations in an interview broadcast by Palestine Television.

In meetings held here on the side-lines of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Palestinian premier apprised top officials, representing global bodies, of three major points on Al-Aqsa Mosque issue.

Jerusalem police chief Moshe Edri vowed to bring violent protesters to justice.

The clashes erupted on the first day of the weeklong Jewish holiday of Sukkot, during which Jews were expected to arrive for prayers at the adjacent Wailing Wall. During the week-long holiday, many Jews visit Jerusalem. The site is so sensitive that even rumors are enough to trigger violence.

“Israel upholds the status quo on the Temple Mount”.

But its actions in quelling the violence have drawn criticism from Arab countries, including Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel and administers Muslim religious affairs at the site. An Israeli ban on Jewish visits to the compound, imposed several days ago in a bid to lower tensions, was still in effect. However many Muslims view these visits as a provocation.

Non-Muslims are forbidden from praying there, and can only visit during certain hours.

But there is a movement advocating the rights for Jews to pray at the hilltop.

Police said 24 Jews and 450 tourists visited the site Monday morning. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the “Temple Mount”, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israeli police have promised to prevent them from getting close to the site.

Soldiers storm the mosque compound and fight with Muslim worshippers who have barricaded themselves inside. An Israeli was killed last month when Palestinian protesters pelted his vehicle with rocks.

Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said five officers were lightly wounded and two Palestinians were arrested.