Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Violent clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians took place yesterday on the Esplanade of the Mosques, causing 26 injured, 11 police and 15 protesters. On leaving the Friday prayer, some Muslims began throwing stones towards the Mughrabi bridge towards the Wailing Wall frightening the Jewish faithful in prayer. To stop the rioters, police and military stormed the esplanade throwing stun grenades and arresting four people.
The Israeli police raid in the holy place for Muslims has sparked controversy in the Arab newspapers, who have denounced the gesture as an act of sacrilege.
The Qatari station Al-Jazeera broadcast images live from the Temple Mount and interviewed Muhammad Hussein Hussein, imam of the mosque of al-Aqsa, who reiterated that the Palestinians "do not want the presence of Israeli soldiers and extremists in their sacred places. ""The Israeli government - he added - it is solely responsible for this situation of tension".
The battles of yesterday, are the result of two weeks of tension and clashes between two communities that has already led to 20 arrests. The Palestinian people were provoked by the statements of Manhigut Yehudit leader ofMoshe Feiglin (far-right party) who in early February invited all his supporters to storm the esplanade to "clean it of Muslims." These days, many Jews have followed the advice and visited the Temple Mount sparking violent protests of the Palestinians.
