FEATURED JOBS
Comments (0)Israeli police lifted restrictions on Muslim worshipers at the Temple Mount two days after Arab youths hurled rocks down on Jews praying at the Western Wall.
Eighteen policemen were wounded last Friday during clashes between police and Arab youths, when about 300 of the Arabs began throwing rocks on the Western Wall plaza following prayers at the Al Aksa Mosque, according to reports.
Up to 60 Palestinians were injured, according to reports citing Palestinian medics, including one woman who was hospitalized at Hadassah Medical Center in critical condition with a head injury. Five Arabs were arrested.
After the rioters were subdued, the rock throwing spread to Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter, including at several gates leading into the Old City, but was quelled by police.
The rioting reportedly began after a sermon in the mosque urging followers to preserve Islamic sites that are said to be targeted by Israel.
The sermon comes on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to add two West Bank sites, Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, to a list of 150 national heritage sites that Israel will rehabilitate and promote as part of a $100 million renovation and restoration plan. The sites are located on land that Palestinians plan to incorporate into a future state, and are also holy to Muslims.
Some 100 Palestinians also protested last Friday outside the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, which has seen ongoing rioting since Netanyahu announced his plan.
Cabinet OKs Compensation Over Construction Freeze
Israel’s Cabinet approved an outline for compensating those who have suffered damages due to the freeze on construction in the West Bank.
The outline approved Sunday would provide compensation to new home buyers, contractors and local councils, according to the Prime Ministers’ office. Details of the criteria will be released at a later date.
The decision to approve the outline requires no legislation or approval from additional government bodies and can be implemented immediately. At least two Cabinet members had submitted private compensation bills. Those will be withdrawn, according to the statement.
The compensation awards will be decided upon by a special committee also established Sunday.
“I welcome this just and humanitarian decision,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Sheikh Jarrah Protests Peaceful
Several thousand Palestinians and left-wing activists protested in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah against the eviction of Palestinian families from their homes.
The protesters, estimated at 3,000 or 5,000 by Israeli media outlets, carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in a peaceful demonstration on Saturday night in a soccer field opposite the area where the homes are located. An Israel Supreme Court ruling on Thursday paved the way for the gathering; police had said they could not handle the protesters.
There have been ongoing demonstrations near the site of the home, where several Jewish families now live, every Friday for the past six months, since the extended Palestinian families were evicted from their homes by court order after it was proven in court that they were previously owned by Jews. It is the largest demonstration so far, according to reports.
Some 300 protesters were permitted to march in front of the disputed homes, as ordered by the court.
Hundreds of right-wing counter protesters shouted slogans near the Tomb of Shimon HaTzadik.