Clashes at Jerusalem's flashpoint hours to Jewish new year

Clashes at Al-Aqsa mosque compound. Photo credit AP

Just a few hours to the start of the Jewish new year, violent clashes erupted at Jerusalem's flashpoint between Muslims and Isreali police at 'Al-Aqsa mosque compound. According to reports the latest violence is over access to the site which is sacred to Muslims and Christians alike.

 "Muslim witnesses said police entered the mosque, Islam's third-holiest site, and caused damage. Police only said they closed the doors to the mosque to lock in rioters throwing stones, fireworks and other objects.

Authorities have used the same tactic in the past in a bid to restore calm and which has seen them briefly enter.

According to police, the rioters had barricaded themselves in the mosque overnight with the aim of disrupting visits by Jews to the site ahead of the start of New Year celebrations on Sunday evening.

Authorities said they decided to raid the compound at around 6:45 am (0345 GMT) to ensure visits to the site could go on as usual. Protesters then retreated inside the mosque and targeted police from there, according to the statement."

Israel seized east Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, in the Six Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.
The mosque compound site is known for frequent clashes between both faiths.


Source: Telegraph