By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli police clashed with hundreds of Palestinians who threw rocks after leaving Muslim prayers at Jerusalem’s most holy site on Friday. Elsewhere, Israeli soldiers opened up fire on protesters at a separate demonstration in the West Bank, killing one Palestinian. This continues a series of recent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police.
Hundreds of worshippers emerged from the two mosques in the walled al-Aqsa compound and began staging a demonstration. An Israeli police spokesperson said that the hundreds of worshippers turned protesters hurled rocks at the police prompting the police to respond with stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
Najeh Bkeirat, a Muslim official at the scene, said demonstrators began throwing rocks only after police tried to stop their march.
Reports state that approximately 11 police officers were lightly injured by rocks, about 30 Palestinians were treated for light injuries from tear gas inhalation and scuffles, and four Palestinians were arrested.
The al-Aqsa Mosque compound has repeatedly been a site of violence between the two groups. The compound sits atop the remains of the two biblical Jewish temples. It is the most sacred site in Judaism, and it is Islam’s third-holiest site. Any perceived attempt to change the delicate division of control of the compound sets off protests.
A similar clash at a demonstration near Ramallah in the West Bank around the same time of day resulted in Israeli soldiers firing on Palestinian protesters, leaving one dead. The Israeli military said the protesting Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at soldiers stationed nearby, which prompted their response.
Talat Ramieh, 25, was declared dead at a local hospital after suffering a critical chest injury.
The cause of the confrontations is not clear, however there have been heightened tensions between Jews and Muslims recently as rumors have been swirling among Palestinian activists that far right Israelis are attempting to gain access to Muslim-controlled areas at the holy site.
Israeli police have claimed that such rumors are false.
Jordan previously warned Israel on Sunday over any attempts by right-wing activists to threaten the al-Aqsa mosque. Foreign Minister Nasser Judah denounced the recent use of force by Israeli police against worshippers at the mosque after eyewitnesses claimed that Israeli police entered the Muslim portion of the temple with a group of foreign visitors.
There has been a call from extremist Israeli groups and politicians to storm the al-Asqa mosque and establish the so-called Third Temple. Many pro-Palestinian activists cite Israel’s failure to stop or disavow the extremist campaign as a reason for the growing violence.
Jordan has called for immediate international intervention from the Arab and Islamic worlds to stop Israel’s “daily and ongoing violations” in Jerusalem.
For more information, please see:
HAAERTZ — Palestinian killed in West Bank demonstration after Temple Mount clashes, sources say — 25 Feb. 2012
Al Jazeera — Clashes continue at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa — 24 Feb. 2012
Huffington Post — Jerusalem Clashes: Conflicts Between Israel Police And Palestinians At Al Aqsa Site — 24 Feb. 2012
Washington Post — Police clash with Palestinians throwing rocks at Jerusalem holy site — 24 Feb. 2012
MENAFN — Jordan warns Israel over Al Aqsa as Jerusalem tensions reach ‘boiling point’ — 20 Feb. 2012
