Tensions rise in protest over metal detectors at Jerusalem mosque
ISRAELI forces are bracing for clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in Jerusalem today as tens of thousands of people are expected to protest against Israel’s decision to install metal detectors at the city’s most important mosque.
The Israeli government set up the metal detectors last week after Palestinian gunmen smuggled weapons inside the al-aqsa mosque complex and used them to kill two Israeli police officers in the streets of the Old City.
But the metal detectors have sparked a major backlash from Palestinians, who see them as part of Israeli efforts to assert its control over the holy site, which is also sacred to Jews and known to Israelis as the Temple Mount.
All week Palestinian crowds have refused to pass through the metal detectors and instead have carried out their prayer services in the street outside the mosque.
The outdoor prayer vigils have ended in minor clashes between young Palestinians and Israeli police, leaving dozens of people injured but no fatalities.
But Israel’s government fears the situation could escalate today, the Muslim holy day, when vast crowds, perhaps as large as 100,000, are expected to rally at the mosque.
Islamic authorities have urged other mosques in Jerusalem to shut for the day and to send their congregations to al-aqsa instead in a show of people power. The potential for violence has caused alarm in Washington and yesterday the White House said it was “very concerned” over the situation.
The US called on Israel and Jordan, which is involved in administering alaqsa, to “make a good-faith effort to reduce tensions and to find a solution that assures public safety”.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, was last night holding meetings with Israel’s security agencies to try to head off a crisis.
The army and the Shin Bet, Israel’s equivalent of MI5, were both said to favour taking down the metal detectors to avoid clashes, while the police were reported to believe they should stay.
A number of possible compromises have been suggested, including using hand-held metal detector wands instead of the full electronic gates, or only making young men go through the detectors.
The Israeli military has put an extra five infantry battalions on alert in the occupied West Bank in case there are large demonstrations in response.