Logo
3 out of 11 Articles
Israeli police amid clashes at the Temple Mount

Palestinians, Israeli Police Clash as Temple Mount Reopens to Jewish Visitors

Fresh clashes broke out Thursday, May 5, between Palestinians and Israeli police at the Temple Mount after the flashpoint Jerusalem holy site was reopened to Jewish visitors amid threats by the Gaza-ruling Hamas.

The Temple Mount was shuttered to Jews on April 21 until the end of Ramadan, as part of a years-long policy of barring non-Muslims from the compound for the final days of the Muslim holy month. This year’s closure came after days of clashes at the Temple Mount that began the morning of April 15, when Friday prayers for Ramadan, Passover, and Good Friday all coincided.

Non-Muslims were again allowed back on the Temple Mount as of 7 a.m. Thursday, as groups of Jews lined up at the Mughrabi Bridge, from where non-Muslim visitors are required to enter the holy site.

Video from the Temple Mount showed Palestinians shouting chants in Arabic as Jewish visitors passed by, including “God is great” and “with spirit, with blood, we’ll redeem Al-Aqsa!”

Scuffles erupted shortly later, when police said dozens of rioters began yelling “incitement” and hurled rocks and other objects toward officers, who responded with riot dispersal means.

Police later said they arrested 21 suspects that took part in the morning clashes. (TOI / VFI News)

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. - James 4:1-2a