 |
| "Israeli
police scuffle with right-wing activists after they tried to enter the
Temple Mount - also known as the Al-Aqsa mosque compound - on October
30, 2014 "Gali Tibbon (AFP) |
Amid ongoing violence, Netanyahu says prayer arrangements at Temple Mount will not be changed
Israeli government ministers on Sunday voted to
approve an amendment that would stiffen penalties against those found
guilty of throwing stones at vehicles.
Convicted stone throwers could face a jail sentence of anything
between 10 and 20 years in light of the amendment to the penal code.
This is a significant increase, as currently those convicted for similar
offences only receive up to 2 years in jail.
The decision to drastically increase the jail time comes as cases of
stone throwing in Jerusalem have become almost a daily occurance amid
ongoing tensions surrounding access to the Temple Mount.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Sunday that there would not
be any changes in the prayer arrangements on the Temple Mount, holy to
both Muslims and Jews. "We are committed to maintaining the status quo
for Jews, Muslims and Christians. We will not change prayer arrangements
that have been in place for decades on Temple Mount," Netanyahu said at
the start of his cabinet's weekly meeting. He urged an end to Muslim
incitement which he blamed for the escalation in rioting at the site in
recent weeks and denied reports circulating in the Muslim world
regarding Israeli plans to split the compound in half in order to allow
Jewish prayers there.
Jordan's King Abdullah, speaking at the opening of Parliament, said
Sunday that his country "will not allow Israel to make unilateral moves
in Jerusalem."
A right-wing lawmaker arrived Sunday morning at the site under heavy
guard after police lifted a ban on the visit of non-Muslims imposed last
Thursday following an attempt on the life of a Jewish activist. Five
other Jews were detained at the site by police on suspicion of creating a
public disturbance.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Sunday that there would not
be any changes in the prayer arrangements on the Temple Mount, holy to
both Muslims and Jews. "We are committed to maintaining the status quo
for Jews, Muslims and Christians. We will not change prayer arrangements
that have been in place for decades on Temple Mount," Netanyahu said at
the start of his cabinet's weekly meeting. He urged an end to Muslim
incitement which he blamed for the escalation in rioting at the site in
recent weeks and denied reports circulating in the Muslim world
regarding Israeli plans to split the compound in half in order to allow
Jewish prayers there.
Jordan's King Abdullah, speaking at the opening of Parliament, said
Sunday that his country "will not allow Israel to make unilateral moves
in Jerusalem."
A right-wing lawmaker arrived Sunday morning at the site under heavy
guard after police lifted a ban on the visit of non-Muslims imposed last
Thursday following an attempt on the life of a Jewish activist. Five
other Jews were detained at the site by police on suspicion of creating a
public disturbance.
Thursday, went there Sunday despite Netanyahu's call to members of
his coalition to refrain from provocation at the sensitive prayer site,
revered by both Muslims and Jews.
"The very fact that I'm here under guard and the Muslims are free to
walk around shows who's a visitor here and who's not," Feiglin told
reporters. "This situation is going to change." His visit was greeted by
loud shouts from Muslim worshipers.
“Nothing stirs up incitement more than the demand to stop going to
the Temple Mount,” Feiglin told a prayer rally in central Jerusalem on
Saturday night for Yehudah Glick, the activist who was severely injured
in an attempted assassination on Wednesday night over his militant
advocacy in favor of Jewish prayer at the site.
Housing Minister Uri Ariel of the rightist Jewish Home party told the
rally that “the status quo on the Temple Mount will change,” reflecting
growing pressure from right-wing lawmakers to lift the ban on free
Jewish prayer in the compound, which also houses the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israel has barred Jews from praying on the mount since capturing it
in the 1967 war, for fear of stirring international Muslim fury. Most
Jewish Orthodox leaders also believe Jewish prayer there violates the
sanctity of what is believed to be the site of the ancient Jewish
temples. Nonetheless, Jews have been going there to visit and some also
pray.
"Israeli
soldiers stand near the Western Wall at the al-Aqsa mosque compound,
Islam's third holiest site, but also the most sacred spot for Jews who
refer to it as the Temple Mount on October 30, 2014 "Gali
Glick, who was hit at point blank range by four bullets in his torso
and abdomen, is hospitalized in serious condition. Mutaz Hijazi, a
Palestinian suspected in the shooting, was shot to death by police on
Thursday.
Glick's wife Yafa told the rally that “the Creator is waiting for us to ascend to Him at the Temple Mount,” the NRG Hebrew website reported. She also stressed that her husband was a peaceful activist who “wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
The Times of Israel reported that several violent clashes
occurred in the capital Saturday night between security forces and
Palestinian protesters: A small improvised bomb was hurled at police
forces in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat, with no casualties
reported; fireworks were thrown at policemen in the Old City and a
13-year-old Arab teen attacked a Jewish man near the Old City’s Damascus
Gate, and was arrested.
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/49500-141102-temple-mount
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