After three days of clashes at one of Jerusalem's main holy sites, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to clamp down on Palestinian stone throwers and impose harsher measures to restore calm.
On a tour of some of the main flash points in and around Jerusalem, Netanyahu said the new steps would include giving security personnel wider powers to deal with stone throwers, imposing tougher legal penalties and introducing fines for perpetrators and their families.
The unrest, which started Sunday at the al-Aqsa mosque compound, sparked violent incidents elsewhere in the city, resulting in the death of a Jewish man whose vehicle was pelted with rocks.
In a briefing with journalists, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat called the stone throwing "terrorism" and said it would not be tolerated in other cities around the world.
Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Israel had inflamed the situation by attempting to "turn Jerusalem into an exclusively Jewish city" and erase Palestinian history. He said the clashes at the mosque were the worst since 1969.
Barkat denied that Israel wanted to change the status quo at the sensitive holy site, which is revered by both Muslims and Jews. However, hours after the latest round of violence broke out Sunday, Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel visited the complex with a group of Jewish activists. Ariel has caused controversy in the past by calling for a Jewish temple to replace the mosque.
[The complicated diplomacy of al-Aqsa]
During the Jewish High Holidays, which began Sunday, Jewish visitors flock to the Western Wall, which runs adjacent to the mosque compound and is designated for Jewish prayer.
Some also visit the place where Islam's Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque stand — an area called the Noble Sanctuary by Muslims and the Temple Mount by Jews. The Jewish visitors are usually granted entry but forbidden to pray there.
Omar Kiswani, director of the al-Aqsa mosque, said last week that a request had been made to Israeli police to close the site to non-Muslim visitors in an attempt to avoid trouble. He also said that Israel is seeking to change the status of the site, which since 1967 has been administered by the Waqf Islamic trust under the auspices of Jordan.
"The Israeli police should be limited to security. That is their job under the status quo. The Waqf used to be in charge of tourism, and we call for it to be that way again," Kiswani said.
He said there was no problem with non-Muslim tourists visiting the site, including Jews, who come from around the world. "It's the Jewish extremists who come here that cause trouble," Kiswani said.
Over the past decade, there has been a sharp increase in observant Jewish visitors, some of whom seek to build a third temple at the site. On Jewish holidays, the number of religious Jewish visitors to the compound can reach up to 1,000 a day, according to the Waqf.
This week's clashes at the mosque drew criticism from around the Arab world, with accusations that Israeli police had damaged the centuries-old building. Jordan's King Abdullah II, one of the few Arab leaders to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, threatened to cut ties if the unrest continues.
PHOTO GALLERY: Clashes rock Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa compound
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who oversees the Western Wall, said, however, that the unrest came from those "who call themselves believers" but incite racial hatred against Jews. He said that molotov cocktails and pipe bombs had been hoarded inside the mosque in preparation for a "well-planned attack on Jewish worshipers praying at the Western Wall during the Jewish New Year."
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said relative calm had been restored in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
The Washington Post
Thu Sep 17 2015
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said relative calm had been restored in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.