New clash at disputed holy site

Al-Ayyam reported in this regard that a total of 141 settlers forced their way into the Mosque compound as Israeli police stepped up their detention operations against Palestinians across Jerusalem. Muslims venerate it as the Noble Sanctuary, where they trust the Prophet Muhammad rose to paradise. Furthermore, the Israeli violations reached agricultural lands owned by Palestinians who are prevented from cultivating, harvesting, and benefiting from their own lands and goods, said the Ambassador.

Calm returned to the compound later on Sunday morning and most police were withdrawn, an AFP journalist reported.

Police said a small group of masked PalestinianSWQ youths threw stones and firecrackers at Israeli police gathered at a main entrance to the compound.

The army spokeswoman said that “violent riots took place in Hebron and [Bethlehem]”, but she declined to comment further. By noon the site was quiet, police said.

Among those arrested is also a Jewish teen suspected of spraying tear gas at a Palestinian woman.

The Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Hussein, condemned Israel’s actions against the protesters saying it will have “serious consequences”. “We, as Islamic and Arab leaders, call on our people to rally inside Al-Aqsa Mosque”. Al-Aqsa is one of Islam’s holiest sites and is in the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif site also revered by Jews.

An Israeli border policeman confronts a Palestinian man during confrontations in the Old City of Jerusalem, Monday, September 28, 2015.

Netanyahu also said he would stress Israel’s desire for peace with the Palestinians.

The Palestinians view such visits as provocations, and rumors have spread that Jews are planning on taking over the site, fueling the recent clashes.

The march, called “Himpunan Kemarahan” [The Rally of Anger], is scheduled to begin after Friday prayers tomorrow from the Lembaga Tabung Haji’s mosque on Jalan Ampang, and will be joined by a number of societies, including Malay rights group Perkasa and the newly-launched PAS offshoot Parti Amanah Negara. Just 12,000 Jews visit per year, compared to 3 million to 4 million Muslims.

Israeli police have tightened rules against rioters. Talks to facilitate the exit of the barricaded Palestinians between Israeli officials and the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, the mosque’s religious custodian, failed, leading to the police raid.

However, Netanyahu’s announcement today allows for an automatic “minimum penalty” for any stone throwers in Jerusalem and across the occupied territories before prosecutors or courts bring charges against them. At least six Palestinian suffered leg injuries.

Al-Aqsa has always been a flashpoint between Palestinians and Israeli forces.