Israel defies calls to remove metal detectors UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS JERUSALEM VIOLENCE TODAY
NEW SECURITY CAMERAS INSTALLED AS VIOLENCE CLAIMS 8 LIVES
Israel yesterday defied international calls to remove the metal detectors installed at the entrance of Al Haram Al Sharif even as the occupation force set up security cameras at the holy site. The installation of the metal detectors has triggered the bloodiest clashes with the Palestinians in years, and the violence threatens to escalate.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he would halt security ties with Israel until it scraps the walkthrough gates.
The UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting this morning to discuss the violence unfolding in occupied Jerusalem, diplomats said. According to the UN mission of China, president of the UN Security Council for July, the meeting will be held behind closed doors.
“Sweden, France and Egypt request the UN Security Council to urgently discuss how calls for de-escalation in Jerusalem can be supported,” said Security Council coordinator of the mission of Sweden Carl Skau on his Twitter account.
Incensed by the flagrant violation of delicate decadesold access arrangements at Islam’s third-holiest site, many Palestinians have refused to go through the metal detectors, holding street prayers and often violent protests.
Israeli security forces shot three demonstrators dead on Friday. “If Israel wants security coordination to be resumed they have to withdraw those measures,” Abbas said in a speech yesterday, referring to the metal detectors.
I srael installed new security cameras yesterday at the entrance to Al Haram Al Sharif, as officials began indicating it was considering “alternatives” to the metal detectors at the shrine that set off a weekend of violence and raised tensions in the region.
The Israeli regime set up the new security measures last week after three Palestinians of 1948 areas opened fire from the shrine, killing two Israeli policemen. It said they were a necessary measure to prevent more attacks and were deployed routinely at holy sites around the world.
But Muslims alleged Israel was trying to expand its control at the Muslim-administered site and have launched mass prayer protests.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced mounting pressure yesterday over new security measures at Al Haram Al Sharif after a weekend of violence left eight people dead, with fears more unrest could follow.
Netanyahu held a cabinet meeting yesterday and was due to meet with his security cabinet later. But the Israeli minister for regional development said the regime would not remove the controversial metal detectors. “They [metal detectors] will remain,” Tzachi Hanegbi told Army Radio. “If they [Palestinians] do not want to enter the mosque, then let them not enter the mosque.”
However, the Mufti of occupied Jerusalem, Shaikh Mohammad Hussain, told the Voice of Palestine he demands a complete return to procedures that were in place before the initial attack at Al Haram Al Sharif. In a statement, the Islamic institutions in Jerusalem, of which he is a part, said they “affirm the categorical rejection of the electronic gates and all the measures of occupation.” The metal detectors remained in place yesterday morning, though cameras had also been mounted near at least one entrance to the compound in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Rising tension
Earlier, Israeli Major General Yoav Mordechai — head of the defence ministry agency responsible for civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories — signalled changes to the policy were possible. “We are examining other options and alternatives that will ensure security,” Mordechai said in an interview.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said he would continue to support the metal detectors remaining in place unless police provide a satisfactory alternative.
The crisis has resonated internationally. Tensions have risen throughout the past week over the metal detectors at the site, which includes the revered Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, following the July 14 attack that killed two policemen.
Friday’s weekly prayers — which typically draw thousands to Al Aqsa — brought the situation to a boil. In anticipation of protests, Israel barred men under 50 from entering the Old City for prayers. Clashes broke out between Israeli security forces and Palestinians around the Old City, in other parts of annexed East Jerusalem and in the occupied West Bank, leaving three Palestinians dead.
On Friday evening, a Palestinian broke into a home in a Jewish colony in the West Bank during a Sabbath dinner and stabbed four Israelis, killing three of them.
The Israeli regime army said the 19-year-old Palestinian had spoken in a Facebook post of the Jerusalem holy site and of dying as a martyr. There were further clashes on Saturday, when Palestinian youths hurled stones and petrol bombs as the army used a bulldozer to close off the attacker’s West Bank village and prepare his house for probable demolition.
I demand a complete return to procedures that were in place before the initial attack at Al Haram Al Sharif.” Shaikh Mohammad Hussain | Occupied Jerusalem Mufti Changes to the policy are possible. We are examining other options and alternatives that will ensure security.” Yoav Mordechai | Israeli Major General