Jordan, Israel in crisis talks as tensions rise
JORDAN and Israel have been holding urgent crisis talks as tension in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem continues to simmer over the Al-Aqsa Mosque following clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces.
Tuesday’s clashes followed the fire-bombing of a small Israeli police station in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third holiest shrine, by Palestinian assailants.
This led to Israeli security forces evicting Palestinians from the compound and closing the gates to Jerusalem’s Old City where the mosque is located.
Following the confrontations, a number of Palestinians were beaten, injured and arrested, with more scuffles breaking out later outside the compound as groups of Palestinians attempted to pray there before being removed by Israeli police.
But the clashes over the mosque were just the latest as Israel attempts to assert its sovereignty over the holy site.
Palestinians claim Israel wants to take over Al Aqsa, a claim denied by the Israeli government which says it will continue to safeguard access to the holy site for Jews and Muslims.
However, the Temple Mount Faithful, an extremist Jewish organisation, actively advocates for the third Jewish Temple to be built on the remains of the mosque. Confrontations between Temple Mount followers, who regularly tour the site, and Muslim worshippers are a regular occurrence.
Christian extremists also believe that the second coming of Christ will be hastened by Armageddon or a mass political conflagration.
To this end, an Australian fanatic set fire to Al Aqsa Mosque in 1969, seeking to hasten Armageddon.
But as Tuesday’s clashes threatened to spiral out of control, the talks between the Jordanians and Israelis focused on resolving another focal point of conflict that has seen tension soaring over the past few weeks – the reopening of the Bab Al Rahma building in the Al Aqsa compound.
Muslim worshippers recently forced the reopening of the building after the Israelis closed it a number of years ago after asserting that a pro-Hamas organisation was operating from it.
The Palestinians have vowed to keep Bab Al Rahma open while the Israeli authorities have said they will close it again. The issue is awaiting an Israeli court ruling as to whether it stays open or is once again closed. |