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Israeli police clashed with Muslim worshippers near the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem during prayers marking the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.
According to Palestinian medics, at least 40 people were wounded in the clashes at the site. Israel Police claimed that at least four officers were wounded.
Police employed force, including tear gas, to dispress Muslim worshippers. At least two people were arrested by Israeli forces.
Tens of thousands of Muslims flocked to the site for holiday prayers. Jews are also observing on Sunday the Ninth of Av, a day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of the two Biblical temples which stood at the site in antiquity.
Initially, Israeli police barred entry to Jewish visitors, but reversed their decision. The situation immidiately escalated. Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan’s office said 1,729 Jews entered the area.
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The incident came just several days after an Israeli soldier was killed south of Jerusalem. On August 10, Israeli forces killed four Palestinian gunmen who attempted to cross the Gaza border fence.
Israeli sources blame the Muslim worshippers for the escalation. At the same time, Palestinian supporters say that Israeli police intenitonally allowed the situation to escalate in order to undermine the Muslim holliday. Initially, police released contradicting data regarding the decision to allow or not allow Jews to enter the area. This became the source of the tesnions that turned into clashes after Jews were allowed to enter. The clashes were used as a pretext to use force and dispress Muslim worshippers.
