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| Israel promises to reopen Jerusalem holy site amid tension | Israel promises to reopen Jerusalem holy site amid tension |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Israel says it will reopen a key holy site in Jerusalem on Friday after closing it due to unrest in the city. | Israel says it will reopen a key holy site in Jerusalem on Friday after closing it due to unrest in the city. |
| Earlier, a spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas described the closure of the disputed site as a "declaration of war". | Earlier, a spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas described the closure of the disputed site as a "declaration of war". |
| The Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount, one of Islam and Judaism's holiest sites, was closed on Thursday following the shooting of a Jewish activist. | The Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount, one of Islam and Judaism's holiest sites, was closed on Thursday following the shooting of a Jewish activist. |
| The move came amid increased tension in Jerusalem following several attacks. | The move came amid increased tension in Jerusalem following several attacks. |
| Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennet told the BBC that Israel would restore access to the site on Friday. | Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennet told the BBC that Israel would restore access to the site on Friday. |
| "To the best of my knowledge unless there's unusual events that take place over the next few hours I expect that Temple Mount will be reopened for everyone," he said. | "To the best of my knowledge unless there's unusual events that take place over the next few hours I expect that Temple Mount will be reopened for everyone," he said. |
| The compound - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif - is the holiest site in Judaism, and contains the al-Aqsa Mosque - the third holiest site in Islam. | The compound - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif - is the holiest site in Judaism, and contains the al-Aqsa Mosque - the third holiest site in Islam. |
| 'Historic status-quo' | 'Historic status-quo' |
| Yehuda Glick, a campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights at the holy site, was wounded in a shooting on Wednesday. | Yehuda Glick, a campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights at the holy site, was wounded in a shooting on Wednesday. |
| Rabbi Glick is a well-known US-born campaigner for the right of Jews to pray at the site, which is currently prohibited. | Rabbi Glick is a well-known US-born campaigner for the right of Jews to pray at the site, which is currently prohibited. |
| He is currently recovering from his injuries at a Jerusalem hospital. | He is currently recovering from his injuries at a Jerusalem hospital. |
| Israeli police later killed a Palestinian suspected of shooting him. Moataz Hejazi, 32, was shot after reportedly opening fire when police surrounded his home. | Israeli police later killed a Palestinian suspected of shooting him. Moataz Hejazi, 32, was shot after reportedly opening fire when police surrounded his home. |
| However, his cousin alleges that he was shot by police after being detained in the house. | However, his cousin alleges that he was shot by police after being detained in the house. |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was "extremely concerned" by the escalation in tensions and urged Israel to reopen the holy site. | US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was "extremely concerned" by the escalation in tensions and urged Israel to reopen the holy site. |
| "It is absolutely critical that all sides exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount in word and in practice", he said. | "It is absolutely critical that all sides exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount in word and in practice", he said. |
| Analysis: BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem | Analysis: BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem |
| A delicate status quo governs rights of access to al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. Israel captured the Old City in 1967 but swiftly handed control of the compound back to the Islamic religious authorities, fearful of triggering a Holy War. Israel's security forces do impose restrictions - banning men under the age of 50 from worshipping on occasion - but argue that is about maintaining order. | A delicate status quo governs rights of access to al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. Israel captured the Old City in 1967 but swiftly handed control of the compound back to the Islamic religious authorities, fearful of triggering a Holy War. Israel's security forces do impose restrictions - banning men under the age of 50 from worshipping on occasion - but argue that is about maintaining order. |
| Jews are allowed to visit the site but not to pray there. Now some right-wing religious groups say Jews should be allowed to pray - a demand which causes anger and unease in the Muslim world. | Jews are allowed to visit the site but not to pray there. Now some right-wing religious groups say Jews should be allowed to pray - a demand which causes anger and unease in the Muslim world. |
| If it all sounds familiar - well, that is because it is. When Britain governed the Holy Land in 1929 a very similar dispute provoked rioting that led to widespread loss of life - a proper resolution of it all still feels hopelessly distant. | If it all sounds familiar - well, that is because it is. When Britain governed the Holy Land in 1929 a very similar dispute provoked rioting that led to widespread loss of life - a proper resolution of it all still feels hopelessly distant. |
| Angry crowds gathered in Arab East Jerusalem near Hejazi's home on Thursday as news spread that he had been shot. | Angry crowds gathered in Arab East Jerusalem near Hejazi's home on Thursday as news spread that he had been shot. |
| Police used tear gas and rubber bullets against stone-throwing youths. | Police used tear gas and rubber bullets against stone-throwing youths. |
| Jerusalem's holiest site | Jerusalem's holiest site |
| Some districts of East Jerusalem have seen nightly clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces since the Gaza conflict last summer. | Some districts of East Jerusalem have seen nightly clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces since the Gaza conflict last summer. |
| A Jewish baby and Ecuadorian woman were killed when a Palestinian attacker drove his car into a group of pedestrians in Jerusalem last week. | A Jewish baby and Ecuadorian woman were killed when a Palestinian attacker drove his car into a group of pedestrians in Jerusalem last week. |
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