Fresh clashes at Jerusalem holy site

There have been fresh clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians at a disputed holy site in Jerusalem. Police fired tear gas at youths who were throwing stones and petrol bombs. The site, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is often the scene of clashes, but tensions have risen […]

There have been fresh clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians at a disputed holy site in Jerusalem.
Police fired tear gas at youths who were throwing stones and petrol bombs.
The site, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is often the scene of clashes, but tensions have risen in recent weeks.
Many Palestinians suspect Israel wants to make changes to the status quo that has governed rights of access since 1967 – something Israel has denied.
The US has said it is deeply concerned about the violence and called on all parties to “exercise restraint and refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric”.
After clashing with Israeli police at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound on Sunday morning, Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside the al-Aqsa mosque overnight, stockpiling stones and other projectiles.
They vowed to “defend” the mosque – the third holiest in Islam – during the eight-day Jewish festival of Sukkot, which began on Monday and was expected to bring an increase in Jewish visitors, according to the AFP news agency.
An Israeli police statement said officers failed in their attempt to “restore quiet and security” through dialogue – including with the Islamic Waqf, which manages the site.