Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., September 30, 2009 Tishrei 12, 5770 | | Israel Time: 10:15 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Real Estate Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 21:48 27/09/2009
Erekat: Israel deliberately escalating tensions in Jerusalem
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Tags: Yom Kippur, Israel News 

Palestinian leaders warned Israel on Sunday not to stoke tension in Jerusalem in the hope of thwarting peace talks, after clashes at a sacred site in which Palestinians and Israeli police were injured.

"At a time when [U.S.] President [Barack] Obama is trying to bridge the divide between Palestinians and Israelis, and to get negotiations back on track, Israel is deliberately escalating tensions in Jerusalem," chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erakat said Sunday evening.

"We've seen this before, and we know what the consequences are," the Palestinian minister added, in a statement that recalled the visit of then Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the site in Jerusalem's Old City in 2000.
Advertisement

Sharon's presence at al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, triggered the second Palestinian uprising (intifada) and dealt the biggest setback to peace efforts in years.

The reasons behind Sunday's clash were disputed.

According to legislator Hathem Abdel Kader and other Palestinian sources, the clash erupted in the early morning when Palestinians inside the complex - sacred to both Islam and Judaism - saw a group of 15 religious Jews trying to enter.

The Jews never managed to get into the complex, because several hundred Palestinians, who were on alert for such a possibility, began a loud protest. Israeli police responded with tear gas then stun grenades.

Presence of tourists disputed

The clash occurred mere hours before the start of Yom Kippur, the solemn "Day of Atonement" which is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police were on alert for violent protests in several flashpoints where Jews and Arabs live side by side.

Protesters threw stones, chairs and whatever they could lay hands on as riot police rushed to the scene. Video showed them trying to drive police away from the doorway of the al-Aqsa mosque, but there was no sign that police entered it.

Police said 17 officers were hurt and 11 rioters arrested, and medics said 13 Palestinians were treated for injuries. There were no reports of serious injury or death.

Israeli police said it began when religious Palestinians angered by immodestly dressed tourists grew violent.

Palestinians dismissed that account, saying no tourists were involved. There was no further comment from Israeli authorities, who were observing the Yom Kippur silence.

"Providing a police escort for settlers who are against peace at all costs, and whose presence is deliberately designed to provoke a reaction, are not the actions of someone who is committed to peace, but of someone who will go to extraordinary lengths to scuttle all hopes of peace," Erakat said.

He said it was "deliberately timed to coincide with the eve of the anniversary of that visit" by a government "emboldened by its ability to fend off calls for a settlement freeze".

The complex is known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary). Located above the Jewish prayer site at the Western Wall, it includes al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock mosque.

In Muslim tradition, the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven from the rock at the centre of what is now the Dome of the Rock shrine. The gilded dome sits over the spot where Jews believe Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac to God before an angel stayed his hand.

Jewish visitors need permission from Israeli police to visit this part of the site. During mass Muslim prayers, Israel also restricts access by Palestinian Muslim men under 50.

Sharon's 2000 visit enraged Palestinians and the resulting uprising rapidly escalated, with numerous suicide bomb attacks on Israeli civilians.

Hamas brands clash at Temple Mount a 'Zionist crime'

Earlier Sunday, the Islamist group Hamas branded the clash at the Temple Mount as a "Zionist crime" and a provocation.

"The Israeli occupation is not interested in calm," the Palestinian news agency Ma'an quoted Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesperson, as saying. The news agency said Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called for Palestinians to rise up against Israel to retaliate for the incident.

Ma'an also quoted other Islamists in Gaza as calling for an uprising and condemning Israel.

"The Israeli assault is part of a central Israeli decision to escalate in the whole region," Islamic Jihad leader Khalid Al-Batsh was quoted as saying. "This escalation might reach neighboring Arab countries."

Despite the clashes, Jewish worshippers continued to pray at the Western Wall - situated below the Temple Mount - in the lead-up to Yom Kippur.

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces said it would place the West Bank under general closure until the end of Yom Kippur due to security concerns.

Related articles:
  • Police shut 3 Palestinian schools on Temple Mount due to unrest
  • Nadav Shragai / Great Muslim denial of Jewish ties to Temple Mount
  • Arab League blasts Temple Mount dig for 'altering features' of Jerusalem
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Barak dodges arrest
    British court defers pro-Palestinian groups' appeal to arrest defense minister.
    Iran hits back at West
    Ahead of upcoming talks with world powers, Iran refuses to discuss second nuclear plant
      1.   Palestinians threw stones at a group of Jews visiting the site 11:00  |  not merely visiting 27/09/09
      2.   need CONSEQUENCES, not just stop and "back to routine" - close mo 11:07  |  phil 27/09/09
      3.   the West Bank will be under closure ... 11:11  |  Toby 27/09/09
      4.   Funny Muslims have freedom to pray there UVDAH 11:18  |  lily 27/09/09
      5.   shut out the muslims when it is Jewishholidays 11:39  |  they don`t know how 27/09/09
      6.   Barak&Olmert want to give the Wall to pals 12:42  |  Absolute Sweden 27/09/09
      7.   Let`s review the history 13:01  |  Jackie 27/09/09
      8.   Toby, absent of fact, absent of morality 13:40  |  Steve 27/09/09
      9.   Shows how kind they are on the eve of the holiest day of the year 13:47  |  JO 27/09/09
      10.   End the Occupation 14:15  |  Amos 27/09/09
      11.   Make Our Day 14:44  |  Robert 27/09/09
      12.   let revisit... not merely 14:45  |  Harold 27/09/09
      13.   what is the truth 14:46  |  talal 27/09/09
      14.   Toby #3 14:51  |  Steve 27/09/09
      15.   rumors of an invasion by Jewish settlers 15:03  |  Jon 27/09/09
      16.   riots 15:20  |  Mustapha Kamel 27/09/09
      17.   Israel should get serious with the palestinians once and for all 15:22  |  Michael 27/09/09
      18.   "nice" policeman? 15:22  |  Stan 27/09/09
      19.   Good preview of what things would be like 15:27  |  Sean 27/09/09
      20.   freedom 15:43  |  yerushalmi 27/09/09
      21.   Talal 15:58  |  Edan 27/09/09
      22.   To Toby: Its not JUST the west bank 16:00  |  Colby 27/09/09
      23.   Hamas and Palis always looking for excuse 16:01  |  Alice 27/09/09
      24.   escalation might reach neighboring Arab countries 16:02  |  judith 27/09/09
      25.   Toby 16:05  |  Gianni 27/09/09
      26.   WHAT ARE THE ARABS AFRAID OF?? 16:09  |  Brant 27/09/09
      27.   Palestiniau anger is a natural consequences of Israel`s theft 16:23  |  Dutch 27/09/09
      28.   Jackie # 7 16:26  |  ben 27/09/09
      29.   why would palestinians throw stones on worshipers?? 16:31  |  justice 27/09/09
      30.   Stop seeking hostile world`s pity dear Israel & disarm hamas 1st 16:35  |  priority 1 27/09/09
      31.   Hamas: Being a Zionist is a crime 16:36  |  Jon 27/09/09
      32.   Hamas 16:40  |  Patrick Azria 27/09/09
      33.   "ZIONIST CRIME"? 16:41  |  David Nigel Braham 27/09/09
      34.   #12 Talal 16:43  |  MR 27/09/09
      35.   Talal 16:48  |  Chaphari 27/09/09
      36.   If Hamas can commit thousands of crimes why can`t the Zionists 16:48  |  Murray of Montreal 27/09/09
      37.   Temple Mount 16:55  |  George Bartlett 27/09/09
      38.   unfortunate 17:10  |  cindy 27/09/09
      39.   Toby, Imam of the Islamic republic of the UK 17:17  |  David 27/09/09
      40.   Phil - what about the Haredi? 18:31  |  Apa 27/09/09
      41.   #3 Toby; Why is it that the Mulims can`t get along with 18:37  |  Murray of Montreal 27/09/09
      42.   Muslim occupiers on the Holy of Holies attack Jews, hmm 18:38  |  David 27/09/09
      43.   I thought Muslims were peaceful people... 18:40  |  michael allah 27/09/09
      44.   Zionist is the code word for Jew 18:47  |  judith 27/09/09
      45.   #1 what a vile reply 18:48  |  David G 27/09/09
      46.   The religion of peace 19:11  |  Pro-Semite Anti-Zion 27/09/09
      47.   Islamic Dress Code for Men? 19:32  |  Frankie Littlehammer 27/09/09
      48.   #20 Murray of Montreal 19:32  |  PL 27/09/09
      49.   Iran`s response to the US and Israel, 19:46  |  a wandering Jew 27/09/09
      50.   Why shouldn` t Jews not come into their holiest site? Just becaus 20:06  |  Gili 27/09/09
      51.   Murray of Montreal If all Muslims are the same is it not true for 20:46  |  American in NY 27/09/09
      52.   Proponents of secularism 20:51  |  Christopher 27/09/09
      53.   Intolerant Islam 21:40  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 27/09/09
      54.   Prove them wrong Erekat; start the talks now! 22:04  |  Emanuel 27/09/09
      55.   #4 lily. Israel restricts Muslims freedom of worship! 22:53  |  Maureen Ann 27/09/09
      56.   Erekat and the PA: Hypocrites 23:12  |  MichaelF 27/09/09
      57.   Very accurate Christopher 23:19  |  Christian 27/09/09
      58.   to #15 Jon 23:26  |  Juge 27/09/09
      59.   :: Palestinians observe Jewish Holidays 23:31  |  Matty Groves 27/09/09
      60.   Come now Mr. Erekat 23:48  |  Mark Lincoln 27/09/09
      61.   The Zionists came in armed into a Muslim Holy Site 00:02  |  Marc Leb 28/09/09
      62.   you know how sometimes you can feel a storm coming? 00:07  |  weatherman 28/09/09
      63.   The only reason ppl care for Israel in the slightest = US Ally 00:10  |  Marc Leb 28/09/09
      64.   Visiting holy sites 00:31  |  Edifice 28/09/09
      65.   Israel hypocrisy & The May 15th Prophecy 00:55  |  May15thProphecy 28/09/09
      66.   Quotes from "respected" Israeli leaders 01:18  |  Neil 28/09/09
      67.   Phil #2 02:03  |  Mike McKenna 28/09/09
      68.   Christopher reference digging under Temple Mount 02:05  |  Palestinian Prince 28/09/09
      69.   To American inNY 02:08  |  Edifice 28/09/09
      70.   Sharon may have triggered event, but Arafat gave green light 02:14  |  Jason 28/09/09
      71.   Silly Neil: Call the Pal Thugs Off & Then 04:16  |  Brad 28/09/09
      72.   Even if Pal Version is Accurate, Why Can`t Jews 04:21  |  Brad 28/09/09
      73.   Pal Version is Crazy 04:23  |  Brad 28/09/09
      74.   Abbas:"We`ll sacrifice victims until Jerusalem is ours" 04:32  |  Meo 28/09/09
      75.   The facts are that there will no be a Palestinian state 04:45  |  Mark Lincoln 28/09/09
      76.   pi, palestine israel, 2 states, 1 country 05:25  |  Steve Benassi 28/09/09
      77.   I Could Live Together With Erekat No Problem! 05:42  |  Yosemite 28/09/09
      78.   Arab mob sponsored by UN stoning Jewish pilgrims 08:35  |  Miron 28/09/09
      79.   #75 mark Lincoln - "there will not be a Palestinian state"?? 12:18  |  S 28/09/09
      80.   #65 Religious fanatic re May 15th 13:59  |  Ari 28/09/09
      81.   mark lincoln`s only ommission 14:39  |  fran 28/09/09
      82.   religious violation of holidays 19:17  |  kid kosher, striclty 28/09/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Holiday Greetings from the Heart
    LIBI-Caring for Israeli Soldiers
    JGooders Special Rosh Hashanah Gift Cards
    Send Gift Cards to you Friends and Family and Taste the Sweetness of Giving
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Amazing Jewelry
    Visit SoKoBe.com for the best priced fine jewelry in the world
    More Headlines
    02:57 MI: IDF needs new ethics code for war on terror
    10:00 Netanyahu to propose investigation of UN Gaza report
    09:40 Saudi Arabia denies it offered Israeli jets flight path to Iran
    04:27 Cries of 'hold me back' may lead Israel to strike Iran
    04:29 ANALYSIS / Is there 'smoking gun' proof of Iran bid for nukes?
    05:50 Haredim balk at new ban on Shabbat elevators
    06:25 What does Sara Netanyahu wish to convey via her wardrobe?
    22:03 TV ROUND-UP: U.K. Palestinians seek Barak arrest, Goldstone submits report
    06:58 IAF strikes Gaza tunnels after two Qassams hit Negev
    08:25 Chinese official: China, U.S. rift could deepen over struggle for Mideast influence
    09:43 Top Israeli educator: Israel should probe Gaza war before it's forced to
    05:18 Lulav growers: Egyptian imports are pushing down prices
    06:37 Evacuated Gaza settlers find their transition a never-ending saga
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved