More than 150 people have been injured in clashes between police and Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque in the Israeli city of Jerusalem.
The Jews of Israel believe that the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is the site of their sanctuary. Thus there are occasional clashes between Islamists and Jews here. Clashes broke out between police and Palestinians here in the early hours of the morning. The Israeli Foreign Ministry explained that a large number of stones had been piled up inside the mosque and that the police had entered the mosque premises only to remove them.
Israeli police said he entered the premises shortly after Friday prayers. Some witnesses said that some Palestinian youths threw stones at the policemen who entered. Police used tear gas and rubber grenades against them. Of these, 152 Palestinians were injured. Israeli police say violence has ended there and hundreds have been arrested on suspicion. The mosque has been declared open as usual.
This year the Islamic Ramadan fasting, the Jewish Passover, and the Christian Holy Week all come at the same time. Thus, people from all three religions gather in large numbers. There has been violence there at a time like this. It is feared that this could lead to further violence.