Jerusalem: Clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protestors continued on Tuesday at Jerusalem’s holy site of Al Aqsa compound for the third consecutive day.
A police spokeswoman said Israeli forces raided the compound to disperse a group of protestors who barricaded themselves inside the mosque overnight, reported Xinhua news agency.
She said the protestors threw rocks and firecrackers in order to prevent Jewish visitors to the site. The police found piles of planks and rocks stock-piled by the protestors in the compound.
A group of protestors remained inside the compound but police managed to open the site for Jewish visitors, Samri said.
Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site for Islam and is located in the Haram al-Shari, which Jews revere as the place of their biblical temple.
Jews are allowed to visit the site but not to pray there. Palestinians see these visits as a provocation, and fear Israel plans to claim the compound and to demolish the Al Aqsa mosque.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II, warned Israel on Monday that “any more provocation in Jerusalem will affect relationship between Jordan and Israel”, adding that “Jordan will not have a choice but to take actions, unfortunately”.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said the US was “deeply concerned by the recent violence and escalating tensions surrounding the Haram al-Sharif”. He urged both sides to “exercise restraint”.