Arrest in Jerusalem site protest

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Israeli police have arrested the head of the country's Islamic movement, as he tried to protest against excavations near al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem.

Sheikh Raed Salah was detained along with six other activists after they tried to enter the Old City.

Police limited access to the area amid calls by Muslim leaders for mass protests to stop the work going ahead.

Palestinians say it could damage the foundations of the Aqsa compound, also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount.

The Israeli authorities say renovations are needed to safeguard the ancient site and have guaranteed that they will be no structural damage to the ancient site.

<a class="bodl" href="#complex">Plan of the holy sites </a>

The work is proceeding near a temporary walkway that replaces a centuries-old stairway which collapsed during storms in 2004.

The al-Aqsa/Temple Mount compound is the third holiest shrine in Islam, as well as Judaism's holiest site.

SACRED TO MUSLIMS Site of Prophet Muhammad's first prayers and ascent into Heaven, home to al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock SACRED TO JEWS Site of first and second Temples and the rock on which Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice <a class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/holy_sites/html/default.stm">Clickable guide to holy sites</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6338093.stm">Press doubts on renovation</a>

In 1996, work by the Israeli authorities underneath the heavily-disputed compound triggered riots in which 80 people died in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops.

And in 2000, the Palestinian uprising began at the mosque following a controversial tour of the site by Israel's then opposition leader Ariel Sharon.

About 2,000 Israeli police are on duty in the Old City, double the usual number, to quell any violent protest, said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

Three Palestinian youths were questioned on suspicion of throwing stones at an Israeli bus on Wednesday morning, but there was no other reports of trouble, Mr Rosenfeld said.

Revered site

The Islamic authorities in charge of the compound say two underground rooms lie under the mound which is being levelled.

The work is intended to secure the area and protect archaeological artefacts that have not yet been uncovered, Israeli officials say.

Al-Aqsa is believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad made an ascent to heaven into the presence of God.

Jews believe the Temple Mount is where Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God and where Solomon built the First Jewish Temple.

Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Since then, the compound has remained under Muslim jurisdiction in conjunction with neighbouring Jordan.

On Sunday, Jordan's King Abdullah warned against "any attack on Islamic sites" and condemned Israeli attempts "seeking to change the nature of these sites and erase their Muslim character".

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