Occupied Jerusalem: Clashes erupted between Israeli police and Palestinian demonstrators at the Al Aqsa mosque compound on Wednesday. The day before, Israel’s tourism ministry said it was considering opening a new gate at the Al Aqsa mosque compound so Israeli colonists visiting could bypass long queues. Palestinians believe that the Israelis want and are working on dividing the mosque the same way they successfully split the Ebrahimi Mosque in Hebron. The Palestinian government has harshly criticised the Israeli plan to open an additional gate to Jewish visitors. On Wednesday, Palestinian youth threw rocks and firecrackers at Israeli occupation police in the morning near the Al Aqsa compound.
There was no immediate information on whether anyone was hurt among the Palestinian protesters. Police chased the demonstrators toward the Al Aqsa mosque, where they barricaded themselves inside and continued hurling objects in the direction of the police, according to Israeli police. The religious site is important to both Muslim and Jews and is a frequent flashpoint for clashes. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the friction at the holy site, saying that it was deliberately raising tensions there.
“The Israeli attacks on Al Aqsa mosque, led by colonists and extremists, and under the auspices of the Israeli government, have recently increased and intensified,” Abbas said.
