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Jerusalem violence: More clashes ahead of nationalist march Jerusalem violence: Rockets fired from Gaza after major clashes
(about 2 hours later)
Israeli police fired stun grenades at Palestinians, who threw stones and other objectsIsraeli police fired stun grenades at Palestinians, who threw stones and other objects
There have been clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police outside the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, ahead of a planned Jewish nationalist march. Rockets have been fired towards Jerusalem from Gaza, amid spiralling tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
More than 300 people were injured, as crowds threw stones and officers fired stun grenades and rubber bullets. No injuries were reported, though Israel's parliament was evacuated as sirens sounded.
It comes amid soaring tensions in the city, which has seen weeks of unrest. Gaza's Hamas rulers had threatened to strike after hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police on Monday.
Earlier, Israeli police decided to bar Jews from visiting the compound where the mosque is located during the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March. The past few days have seen the worst violence in the city for years.
The event marks Israel's capture of East Jerusalem - home to the Old City and its holy sites - in 1967, and usually sees hundreds of flag-waving Israeli youth make their way through Muslim areas via Damascus Gate, chanting and singing patriotic songs. More than 300 Palestinians were wounded in the confrontations with Israeli police outside the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem.
It is regarded by many Palestinians as a deliberate provocation. This year's march is also taking place in the final days of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Later a march by Israeli nationalists which was due to pass through Muslim areas of East Jerusalem's Old City was rerouted over fears it could stoke unrest.
The al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, is located on a hilltop complex known by Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and by Jews as the Temple Mount. Jews revere it as the location of two Biblical Temples and it is the holiest site in Judaism.
What makes Jerusalem so holy?What makes Jerusalem so holy?
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explainedThe Israel-Palestinian conflict explained
The Jerusalem Day event marks Israel's capture of East Jerusalem - home to the Old City and its holy sites - in 1967, and usually sees hundreds of flag-waving Israeli youth make their way through the Muslim Quarter via Damascus Gate, chanting and singing patriotic songs.
It is regarded by many Palestinians as a deliberate provocation. This year's march is also taking place in the final days of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The latest violence follows days of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police in the nearby Sheikh Jarrah district of East Jerusalem, with the possible eviction of Palestinian families from their homes there by Jewish settlers a focal point for Palestinian anger.The latest violence follows days of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police in the nearby Sheikh Jarrah district of East Jerusalem, with the possible eviction of Palestinian families from their homes there by Jewish settlers a focal point for Palestinian anger.
Israel's Supreme Court had been due to hold a hearing in the long-running case on Monday, but the session was postponed due to the unrest. Israel's Supreme Court had been due to hold a hearing in the long-running case on Monday, but the session was postponed due to the trouble.
Fears had mounted that it would be a tense day in Jerusalem and so it turned out. The confrontation started first thing in the morning.Fears had mounted that it would be a tense day in Jerusalem and so it turned out. The confrontation started first thing in the morning.
As I passed the Old City walls beneath the glittering Dome of the Rock, heavily armed Israeli police had entered the compound and were firing volleys of stun grenades at Palestinians who were throwing stones and other objects at them. Ambulances screamed past ready to ferry away the wounded.As I passed the Old City walls beneath the glittering Dome of the Rock, heavily armed Israeli police had entered the compound and were firing volleys of stun grenades at Palestinians who were throwing stones and other objects at them. Ambulances screamed past ready to ferry away the wounded.
The site holy to Muslims and Jews lies at the core of the region's conflict.The site holy to Muslims and Jews lies at the core of the region's conflict.
Hundreds of Jewish activists had planned to go there in the morning, but were ultimately stopped by police. Muslim worshippers had stayed in al-Aqsa all night - ready, they said, to defend their mosque.Hundreds of Jewish activists had planned to go there in the morning, but were ultimately stopped by police. Muslim worshippers had stayed in al-Aqsa all night - ready, they said, to defend their mosque.
The city's surging tensions stem from several causes. Among them, the threatened eviction of several Palestinians families from their homes in East Jerusalem by Jewish settlers.The city's surging tensions stem from several causes. Among them, the threatened eviction of several Palestinians families from their homes in East Jerusalem by Jewish settlers.
That case is now on hold for several weeks after Israel's government intervened. But despite the growing international calls for calm, today has seen more fuel poured on an already volatile mix.That case is now on hold for several weeks after Israel's government intervened. But despite the growing international calls for calm, today has seen more fuel poured on an already volatile mix.
What happened at the al-Aqsa mosque?What happened at the al-Aqsa mosque?
Israel's police force said thousands of Palestinians barricaded themselves in the building overnight with stones and Molotov cocktails in anticipation of a confrontation during the Jerusalem Day Flag March, which was scheduled to start at about 16:00 (13:00 GMT).Israel's police force said thousands of Palestinians barricaded themselves in the building overnight with stones and Molotov cocktails in anticipation of a confrontation during the Jerusalem Day Flag March, which was scheduled to start at about 16:00 (13:00 GMT).
Al-Aqsa Mosque: Hamas flags and stones as thousands prepare to prevent police, 'settlers' from 'storming' the compound. pic.twitter.com/yIvT8EksraAl-Aqsa Mosque: Hamas flags and stones as thousands prepare to prevent police, 'settlers' from 'storming' the compound. pic.twitter.com/yIvT8Eksra
Officers were ordered to enter the mosque compound to "repel the rioters using demonstration dispersal methods" on Monday morning after a police post was attacked and stones were thrown towards a nearby road, it added.Officers were ordered to enter the mosque compound to "repel the rioters using demonstration dispersal methods" on Monday morning after a police post was attacked and stones were thrown towards a nearby road, it added.
For over an hour, police fired stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinians, who threw stones and other objects.For over an hour, police fired stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinians, who threw stones and other objects.
The rising tensions have prompted international calls for calm and restraintThe rising tensions have prompted international calls for calm and restraint
Video posted on social media showed crowds running for cover and some of the stun-grenade canisters landing inside the mosque.Video posted on social media showed crowds running for cover and some of the stun-grenade canisters landing inside the mosque.
The al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, is located on a hilltop complex known by Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and by Jews as the Temple Mount. Jews revere it as the location of two Biblical Temples and it is the holiest site in Judaism.
During clashes outside the Old City walls, a car was pelted with stones before crashing into bollards and hitting a man.During clashes outside the Old City walls, a car was pelted with stones before crashing into bollards and hitting a man.
Jerusalem, a short while ago: A Jewish man narrowly escapes lynching after his car is pelted with rocks. A policeman on the scene stops the violent mob. pic.twitter.com/OmkwkfGPQvJerusalem, a short while ago: A Jewish man narrowly escapes lynching after his car is pelted with rocks. A policeman on the scene stops the violent mob. pic.twitter.com/OmkwkfGPQv
The Palestinian Red Crescent said 305 Palestinians were injured in the clashes, and that 228 were taken to hospital for treatment. Seven of them are in a critical condition.The Palestinian Red Crescent said 305 Palestinians were injured in the clashes, and that 228 were taken to hospital for treatment. Seven of them are in a critical condition.
The Israeli police force said 21 officers were injured and that three required hospital treatment.The Israeli police force said 21 officers were injured and that three required hospital treatment.
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, defended the police.Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, defended the police.
"This is a battle between tolerance and intolerance, between lawless violence and order," he said. "Elements that want to expropriate our rights periodically force us to stand strong, like Israel's police officers are doing.""This is a battle between tolerance and intolerance, between lawless violence and order," he said. "Elements that want to expropriate our rights periodically force us to stand strong, like Israel's police officers are doing."
Palestinian medics said more than 300 Palestinians required hospital treatment after the clashesPalestinian medics said more than 300 Palestinians required hospital treatment after the clashes
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli actions.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli actions.
"The Israeli occupation forces' brutal storming and assault on worshippers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards is a new challenge to the international community," spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said."The Israeli occupation forces' brutal storming and assault on worshippers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards is a new challenge to the international community," spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said.
Monday's flare-up follows a weekend of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police around the al-Aqsa mosque, which left hundreds of people injured.Monday's flare-up follows a weekend of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police around the al-Aqsa mosque, which left hundreds of people injured.
Confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis were also reported in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, and near the West Bank city of Ramallah.Confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis were also reported in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, and near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Hundreds of Palestinians and more than 20 police officers have been injured in the violenceHundreds of Palestinians and more than 20 police officers have been injured in the violence
King Abdullah II of Jordan, which is the custodian of Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites, condemned "Israeli violations and escalatory practices at the blessed al-Aqsa mosque".King Abdullah II of Jordan, which is the custodian of Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites, condemned "Israeli violations and escalatory practices at the blessed al-Aqsa mosque".
Jordan assumed custody of the sites when it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1948 Middle East war, and was allowed to continue the role after the areas fell to Israel in 1967.Jordan assumed custody of the sites when it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1948 Middle East war, and was allowed to continue the role after the areas fell to Israel in 1967.
The Quartet of Middle East negotiators - the US, the EU, Russia and the UN - has also expressed deep concern over the violence, urging all sides to show restraint.The Quartet of Middle East negotiators - the US, the EU, Russia and the UN - has also expressed deep concern over the violence, urging all sides to show restraint.
Why is Jerusalem a flashpoint?Why is Jerusalem a flashpoint?
The city, with its sacred sites, is the most sensitive place of all in the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.The city, with its sacred sites, is the most sensitive place of all in the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Alongside its religious importance are national claims too - Israel in effect annexed East Jerusalem and considers the entire city its capital, though this is not recognised by most other countries.Alongside its religious importance are national claims too - Israel in effect annexed East Jerusalem and considers the entire city its capital, though this is not recognised by most other countries.
Palestinians claim the eastern half as the capital of a hoped-for state of their own.Palestinians claim the eastern half as the capital of a hoped-for state of their own.
Why the ancient city of Jerusalem is so importantWhy the ancient city of Jerusalem is so important
The hilltop compound containing the al-Aqsa mosque and buttressed by the Jewish holy site of the Western Wall is especially sensitive, with both Israel and Palestinians wary of each other's intentions and activities there.The hilltop compound containing the al-Aqsa mosque and buttressed by the Jewish holy site of the Western Wall is especially sensitive, with both Israel and Palestinians wary of each other's intentions and activities there.
Israel says the current violence there was planned "well in advance" by Palestinian extremists, though a series of events has driven unrest in Jerusalem.Israel says the current violence there was planned "well in advance" by Palestinian extremists, though a series of events has driven unrest in Jerusalem.
Palestinian anger fuelled in the past few days by the uncertain fate of the families in Sheikh Jarrah came after a month of escalating tensions in the city.Palestinian anger fuelled in the past few days by the uncertain fate of the families in Sheikh Jarrah came after a month of escalating tensions in the city.
After Ramadan began in mid-April, clashes erupted nightly between police and Palestinians protesting against security barriers outside Damascus Gate, worsening after a march by ultra-nationalist Jewish extremists angry over assaults by Palestinians on ultra-Orthodox Jews.After Ramadan began in mid-April, clashes erupted nightly between police and Palestinians protesting against security barriers outside Damascus Gate, worsening after a march by ultra-nationalist Jewish extremists angry over assaults by Palestinians on ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Meanwhile rare Palestinian elections planned for this month were called off by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who blamed restrictions on Palestinian voting rights in East Jerusalem, in a move which further angered Palestinians. Critics suggested Mr Abbas feared a victory by his party's Islamist challengers Hamas.Meanwhile rare Palestinian elections planned for this month were called off by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who blamed restrictions on Palestinian voting rights in East Jerusalem, in a move which further angered Palestinians. Critics suggested Mr Abbas feared a victory by his party's Islamist challengers Hamas.