Jerusalem
Senior staff and American ambassadors across the Middle East have been in close communication with Israeli and Palestinian officials seeking to de-escalate tensions.
Knesset member Itamar Ben-Gvir blasted the Israel Police for letting Raed Salah visit the Temple Mount while refusing to allow a right-wing march to take place in the Old City.
“We understand why some of our friends aren’t here today, though it is a little disappointing,” said Shmuel Cohen of Jerusalem. “There is no reason it needs to be this way. What do the Palestinians who caused this gain from this? This is their holy month, and they use Al-Aqsa this way?”
“Turkey always stands with Palestine,” said its president • Jordanian foreign ministry delivered a written condemnation • Morocco called the actions “systematic provocation.”
Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich: “Jews should not be afraid and shouldn’t be attacked anywhere in the Land of Israel, and certainly not in Jerusalem and on their way to the Western Wall, and most certainly not on Passover.”
Some 400 Palestinian rioters were arrested on Temple Mount following clashes with police.
Some 3,000 police, Border Police and member of other branches of the security forces were on duty in Jerusalem with streets around the Old City closed.
Another hub is to be built in the western part of the capital.
Near the government compound at Cinema City, it was publicized under the banner: “Israel is bleeding—we [must] bring back security!”
“I have learned that even if something, including me, is broken, it can be repaired, and although it may have scars, it can still be useful and beautiful—‘perfectly imperfect,’ ” says Chaya Esther Ort of Kiyor Studio in Jerusalem.
“Let’s not do things that undermine stability, which is critical during this period,” says Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz • Jerusalem sees third consecutive night of riots amid Ramadan unrest.
Hundreds assembled and clashed with security forces for the third night in a row, also is the third night of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.
