JERUSALEM, June 6: Israeli police stormed into the Al Aqsa mosque compound on Monday after accusing Palestinians of throwing stones at a group of visiting Jews as Israel commemorated its capture of the entire holy city.
The clashes came with Israel on high alert for possible attacks either by Palestinian militants seeking to mar the 38th anniversary of the capture of eastern Jerusalem in 1967, or by Jewish extremists opposed to the planned Gaza Strip pullout.
Police said trouble flared when a group of Israelis began a guided tour of the Al Aqsa mosque compound.
“A small Jewish group of about 10 to 15 people started a tour. Hundreds of young Palestinians came out of the mosque and started throwing stones at the Jewish group,” said a spokesman.
Some protesters removed their belts and tried to hit the Israelis before police broke into the compound and fired off stun grenades.
“One Palestinian was arrested when he tried to hit the Jews with stones and two Israelis were hurt and taken to medical treatment,” said the spokesman.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas denounced unwarranted violations of the sacred site.
“We are used to this. The Israeli government and the international community must put an end to these serious and unjustified violations that risk reaping regrettable consequences,” Mr Abbas told reporters in Ramallah.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei lashed out at what he called a ‘horde of extremist and criminal settlers’ who ‘attacked Al Aqsa and stormed the esplanade, so the (Palestinian) residents of Al Quds defended themselves’.
