Clashes between police forces and Palestinians on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem continue to escalate. Several Muslims were reportedly injured on Sunday after trying to block access.
Clashes broke out again on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Sunday. Before the Jews’ planned visits to the holy site, hundreds of young Muslims erected obstacles with stones and iron bars to block access, Israeli police said. According to media reports, there were clashes between police forces and Palestinians at the facility, and several Muslims were injured.
The Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif/Har HaBait) with the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. But it is also sacred to Jews because there used to be two Jewish temples there. Jews are currently observing the Passover festival. One of the customs is the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Temple Mount is just a few minutes’ walk from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Christians celebrated Easter Sunday morning.
clashes intensified
Palestinians hurled stones at buses en route to Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday morning, police said several passengers were injured. Two suspects were arrested.
The Islamist organization Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, said on Sunday: “The Al-Aqsa mosque is a red line and the (Israeli) occupying power has the responsibility to attack the believers and allow the settlers to desecrate the complex.” .
The Temple Mount is under Muslim administration, while Israel is responsible for security. According to an agreement with the Muslim authorities, Jews are allowed to visit the premises, but not to pray there.
Already on Friday there were numerous injuries in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces on the Temple Mount. The clashes have further intensified tensions after a wave of terror in recent weeks.
Pope asks for forwarding access to websites
Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. Palestinians claim the territories for their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Pope Francis called for free access for all people to the holy places in Jerusalem. “Peace be bestowed on the Middle East, which has been torn apart by divisions and strife for years,” the pope said in his Easter message on Sunday, asking for prayer for “peace for Jerusalem and peace for all who love her, Christians, Jews.” and Muslims”.
“May Israelis, Palestinians and all the inhabitants of the Holy City, together with pilgrims, experience the beauty of peace, live in fraternity and have free access to the Holy Places with mutual respect for the rights of each individual,” Francis said. .
(APA)