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Israel reopens Jerusalem holy site amid rising tensions after activist shot Israel reopens Jerusalem holy site amid rising tensions after activist shot
(about 5 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Israel partially re-opened one of Islam’s holiest sites on Friday amid soaring tensions that had Israeli security forces on high alert and the Palestinian president calling for a “day of rage.” JERUSALEM — Israel partially reopened one of Islam’s holiest sites Friday amid soaring tensions that had Israeli security forces on high alert and the Palestinian president calling for a “day of rage.”
The move to allow restricted access to Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque — men under 50 years old where barred — came after a rare closure prompted by back-to-back incidents that stoked anger on both sides. The move to allow restricted access to Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque — men under 50 were barred — came after a rare closure prompted by back-to-back incidents that stoked anger on both sides.
A shooting Wednesday injured an American-Israeli activist advocating greater Jewish access to the site — which is also considered holy by Jews. Israeli security forces then killed the suspected Palestinian gunman following a shootout. A shooting Wednesday wounded an American Israeli activist advocating greater Jewish access to the site — which is also considered holy by Jews. Israeli security forces then killed the suspected Palestinian gunman following a shootout.
Israeli police re-opened the mosque to Muslim worshippers in time for important Friday noon prayers. Men over 50 and all women and girls were allowed to enter. Israeli police reopened the mosque to Muslim worshippers in time for important Friday noon prayers. Men over 50 and all women and girls were allowed to enter.
The exceptional closing of the mosque Thursday — the first such step by Israel in decades — brought strong denunciations from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who compared it to “a declaration of war.” Abbas then called for a “day of rage” Friday in the occupied West Bank.The exceptional closing of the mosque Thursday — the first such step by Israel in decades — brought strong denunciations from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who compared it to “a declaration of war.” Abbas then called for a “day of rage” Friday in the occupied West Bank.
There were no reports of unrest in the West Bank, but mourners in Arab-dominated East Jerusalem joined in angry chants during the funeral late Thursday for the alleged gunman.There were no reports of unrest in the West Bank, but mourners in Arab-dominated East Jerusalem joined in angry chants during the funeral late Thursday for the alleged gunman.
In Jerusalem’s Old City, thousands of police patrolled as worshippers gathered. No major violence was reported, but Arab youth scuffled with police after trying to break through a barricade. Others launched fireworks toward Israeli security forces. In Jerusalem’s Old City, thousands of police patrolled as worshippers gathered. No major violence was reported, but Arab youths scuffled with police after trying to break through a barricade. Others launched fireworks toward Israeli security forces.
In the past, disputes at the site have touched off Palestinian riots and prolonged uprisings.In the past, disputes at the site have touched off Palestinian riots and prolonged uprisings.
The events in Jerusalem began late Wednesday when a gunman on a motorcycle wounded activist Yehuda Glick, 48, who has been pressing authorities to insist that Jews be allowed to pray at the walled esplanade, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. The events in Jerusalem began late Wednesday when a gunman on a motorcycle wounded activist Yehuda Glick, 48, who has been pressing authorities to allow Jews to pray at the walled esplanade, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.
On Thursday, an Israeli counterterrorism unit killed the suspected gunman — identified as 32-year-old Muatnaz Hijazi — following a shoot­out in a Jerusalem neighborhood, police said. On Thursday, an Israeli counterterrorism unit killed the suspected gunman — identified as 32-year-old Muatnaz Hijazi — in a shoot­out in a Jerusalem neighborhood, police said.
Jews and Christians are normally allowed to visit the site as tourists. But they are banned from praying, singing and making religious displays.Jews and Christians are normally allowed to visit the site as tourists. But they are banned from praying, singing and making religious displays.
The first and second Jewish temples — historically the center of Jewish life — were located on the same spot. Romans destroyed the second temple in A.D. 70. Jews now pray at the Western Wall, the ramparts close to the site. The first and second Jewish temples — historically the center of Jewish life — were on the same spot. Romans destroyed the second temple in A.D. 70. Jews now pray at the Western Wall, the ramparts close to the site.
Israeli authorities said that Hijazi had served time in an Israeli prison for “security offenses,” but did not offer details. The intelligence agency said that Hijazi was once a member of Islamic Jihad, branded a terrorist group by Israel.Israeli authorities said that Hijazi had served time in an Israeli prison for “security offenses,” but did not offer details. The intelligence agency said that Hijazi was once a member of Islamic Jihad, branded a terrorist group by Israel.
Glick is the well-known leader of HaLiba, a group dedicated to “reaching complete and comprehensive freedom and civil rights for Jews on the Temple Mount.”Glick is the well-known leader of HaLiba, a group dedicated to “reaching complete and comprehensive freedom and civil rights for Jews on the Temple Mount.”
A number of right-wing Israeli politicians, including members of Netanyahu’s coalition government, have also pressed for the right of Jews to pray on the mount.A number of right-wing Israeli politicians, including members of Netanyahu’s coalition government, have also pressed for the right of Jews to pray on the mount.
Glick has been banned by police from the Temple Mount in the past because of his advocacy, which is seen as highly provocative by Muslims and many Israelis.Glick has been banned by police from the Temple Mount in the past because of his advocacy, which is seen as highly provocative by Muslims and many Israelis.