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| Jerusalem 'tense' after clashes | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A tense calm is reported in the Old City of Jerusalem after clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians erupted at a contested holy site. | A tense calm is reported in the Old City of Jerusalem after clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians erupted at a contested holy site. |
| Dozens of people were hurt when police moved in to quell violent protests against excavation work in the area. | Dozens of people were hurt when police moved in to quell violent protests against excavation work in the area. |
| Scores of Palestinians briefly barricaded themselves into the al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest site. | Scores of Palestinians briefly barricaded themselves into the al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest site. |
| The violence flared over the digging work, which protesters say threatens the mosque's foundations. | |
| The compound containing the mosque is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples. | |
| The BBC's Matthew Price in the Muslim quarter of the Old City says the situation there remains tense. | The BBC's Matthew Price in the Muslim quarter of the Old City says the situation there remains tense. |
| Plan of the holy sites | Plan of the holy sites |
| He says a fire is burning in one of the lanes leading to the compound, while young Palestinians with scarves wrapped around their heads are occasionally throwing stones at Israeli police stationed there. | |
| Our correspondent says it appears that the disturbances of earlier have started to die down but the Israeli police are still trying to clear Palestinian youths from the streets. | Our correspondent says it appears that the disturbances of earlier have started to die down but the Israeli police are still trying to clear Palestinian youths from the streets. |
| Stand-off | Stand-off |
| An Israeli police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, told the BBC that more than 2,500 police officers had been deployed in the Old City to prevent the unrest from spreading. | An Israeli police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, told the BBC that more than 2,500 police officers had been deployed in the Old City to prevent the unrest from spreading. |
| 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 Clickable guide to holy sites | 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 Clickable guide to holy sites |
| Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters who pelted them with stones. | Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters who pelted them with stones. |
| Israeli police say 20 protesters and 15 police officers were injured in the clashes. | Israeli police say 20 protesters and 15 police officers were injured in the clashes. |
| Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, who was inside the mosque along with about 150 protesters, told the BBC Israeli forces threw a cordon around the area and did not allow anyone in or out. | Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, who was inside the mosque along with about 150 protesters, told the BBC Israeli forces threw a cordon around the area and did not allow anyone in or out. |
| The protesters left following a stand-off with police outside the mosque. | The protesters left following a stand-off with police outside the mosque. |
| Flashpoint | Flashpoint |
| The excavations, which began on Tuesday, are a prelude to the construction of a new walkway leading to the compound. | The excavations, which began on Tuesday, are a prelude to the construction of a new walkway leading to the compound. |
| Israeli authorities say the work is needed to safeguard the ancient site and have guaranteed that there will be no structural damage to the area. | Israeli authorities say the work is needed to safeguard the ancient site and have guaranteed that there will be no structural damage to the area. |
| The compound, in the Old City in East Jerusalem - an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war - has regularly been a flashpoint for violence. | The compound, in the Old City in East Jerusalem - an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war - has regularly been a flashpoint for violence. |
| In 1996, Israel's opening of an exit to a tunnel near the site triggered riots in which 80 people died in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops. | In 1996, Israel's opening of an exit to a tunnel near the site 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. | 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. |
| Since 1967, the compound has remained under Muslim jurisdiction in conjunction with neighbouring Jordan. | Since 1967, the compound has remained under Muslim jurisdiction in conjunction with neighbouring Jordan. |
| Return to top | Return to top |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the clashes? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the clashes? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |