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An IDF soldier watching stone throwers during clashes in the West Bank village of Qalandiyah, between Jerusalem and Ramallah, on Saturday. (AP)
Last update - 00:45 11/02/2007
Arab League blasts Temple Mount dig for 'altering features' of Jerusalem
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and Agencies

The Arab League chief on Saturday accused Israel of attempting to alter the features of Jerusalem with its ongoing construction and excavation work near the Mugrabi Gate to the Temple Mount, and urged the international community to intercede to stop the work.

"There are plans to change the features of the city, Amr Moussa said in a statement distributed to the Arab representatives at an emergency League meeting in Cairo.

Moussa said, without elaborating, that the dig reflects Israeli attempts to tighten control over Jerusalem.
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Moussa, the Arab League secretary-general, said he also sent letters to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO, warning of repercussions the Israeli work could have on peace in the region.

"The Israeli violations are provoking anger and condemnation in Palestine, Arab and Islamic world, which is threatening the security and stability in the region," Moussa's statement read.

The Arab League meeting was also attended by Palestinian presidential aid, Nabil Shaath, who openly accused Israel of threatening to destroy Islam's third-holiest shine, the Al-Aqsa.

In Jordan, Islamists called for holy war, or jihad, to save the mosque and vowed revolt against their Arab rulers if they do not protect the Jerusalem flashpoint site from Israeli actions.

The committee of Muslim scholars in Jordan's largest political opposition group, the Islamic Action Front, or IAF, said in a statement that they "urge ... proclaiming jihad to liberate Al-Aqsa and save it from destruction and sabotage from Jewish usurpers."

The IAF called for recruitment of Arabs for the struggle and liberation of the mosque, saying it was necessary for every person to fight the enemy of Islam who is destroying the shrine of Prophet Muhammad.

Jordan and Egypt - Israel's sole Arab peace partners and key U.S. allies in the region - have demanded the Jewish state stop the construction work. IAF, which has 17 seats in Jordan's 110-member Parliament, opposes the country's peace treaty with Israel and regards Washington's Mideast policy as biased in favor of Israel.

The group also urged countries in the Arab world with Israeli embassies to shut them down and cut all economic and cultural ties with Israel.

Also Saturday, the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee decided in a meeting in Nazareth to protest to international bodies against the excavation.

The organization will appeal to foreign embassies in Israel and to international organizations in an effort to pressure the government to stop the work.

The committee's secretariat will also hold a meeting Monday between leaders of the Israeli Arab community and the Waqf - or Muslim religious authority - in Jerusalem.

The group also announced its intention to hold protests at Al-Aqsa Mosque at an undetermined date, and to encourage Arab schools to send their students on educational tours of the mosque.

In its summary document, the committee stated that "the Israeli government has no legal, political or sovereign right to operate in occupied Jerusalem, especially at holy sites."

Sporadic violence continued Saturday as Palestinian teenagers set large garbage containers on fire in the streets of East Jerusalem just outside the Old City and threw rocks at police gathered nearby. Some of the rocks smashed the windows of cars parked on the side of the road. They also lit an Israeli flag on fire. Other small protests broke out inside the Old City, police said.

The police, some on horseback and others in riot gear, responded by firing tear gas to disperse the protesters and arrested 15.

Palestinians also pelted a bus carrying vacationing Canadians on a tour of the Mount of Olives holy site in East Jerusalem.

"We were just driving and all of a sudden a bunch of kids started picking up rocks and whatever they could get their hands on and started throwing it at the bus," said tourist Dave Wood. "This is our first day in the Holy City and it was quite disturbing to say the least."

A police station in East Jerusalem was also stoned, said Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby. No one was injured in the incidents Saturday, he said.

"We expect during today there will be some more (protests)," Ben-Ruby said.

Police kept a bolstered force in the city and maintained restrictions at the holy site, barring all Muslim men under the age of 45 from praying there Saturday in an effort to prevent a new wave of fighting.

Near the religious site of Rachel's Tomb in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, dozens of Palestinians rioted against the excavation and threw stones at soldiers, the army said. Troops arrested 30 Palestinians, the army said, and there were no reports of injuries.

In the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian youths threw stones at soldiers, who fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets, witnesses said.

Six protesters were treated for gas inhalation, medical officials said, and Israel Radio reported 10 protesters arrested.

The violence came a day after police stormed the disputed compound in the Old City, using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse Muslim worshippers, who rioted after Friday prayers. Protests against the construction have spread throughout the Muslim world, where demonstrators have accused Israel of plotting to harm Islamic shrines.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter (Kadima) said Saturday that "Israel will foil any attempt on the part of Muslims to convince the world that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is in danger."

In an Interview to Israel Radio, Dichter said that the construction and excavation is going on "outside of the Temple Mount compound, and whoever doesn't understand this must prove their argument."

According to Dichter, police forces stormed the Temple Mount compound in order to prevent demonstrators from hurling rocks and the Wailing Wall.

Malaysia: Work near Al-Aqsa Mosque is 'act of provocation'
Malaysia, chair of the world's largest Islamic grouping, condemned Israel on Saturday over its construction work at the Temple Mount saying it would hurt peace efforts.

A statement from Malaysia's foreign ministry accused Israel of willfully destroying religious, cultural and heritage sites in the occupied territories, and of direct aggression toward the mosque.

"We denounce this blatant act of provocation and the complete disregard for the sanctity of the holy mosque? this act will ignite the feelings of Muslims all over the world and is in fact a retrogressive step in the efforts to achieve peace in the region " it said.

Malaysia, as chairman of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference, urged the world community to intervene immediately to stop the illegal activities which violate international laws, the ministry added.

Muslims protesting Israeli construction and excavation work near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, agreed Friday to leave the mosque compound peacefully, after clashes with police.

Excavations near the Temple Mount's Mugrabi Gate were approved two weeks ago as a necessary precursor to replacing a ramp that provides access to the gate. The ramp collapsed three years ago, and was replaced by a temporary wooden structure. Plans have since been approved for a permanent replacement, and by law, any construction work in the Old City must be preceded by a salvage dig.

The dig is taking place in the Jewish Quarter, outside the Temple Mount, but the Islamic Movement in Israel has accused it of being meant to undermine the Temple Mount. Protests have also taken place across the Muslim world.

On Friday, some 200 police officers entered the area of the mosque and used stun grenades to disperse Muslim protesters, as hundreds of demonstrators threw stones at security forces.

A number of protesters were holed up inside the mosque compound, but agreed to leave peacefully following mediation by MK Talab al-Sana (United Arab List). Al-Sana persuaded the protesters to leave the compound without throwing rocks or causing any provocation. Police had said they would use force to disperse the demonstrators if they resumed their violent protests.

Police are investigating the possibility that the protesters had been hiding in the Temple Mount compound over the last few days to circumvent Israel's decision to ban Muslims below the age of 45 years from Friday prayers, due to a fear of disturbances.

The security forces said they regained control of the Temple Mount area a short time after disturbances began. Police blocked all exits and cut off loudspeakers that they said were being used to incite the protests.

At least 15 police officers in the area were lightly hurt in the clashes, six of whom were evacuated to receive further medical attention. Police arrested 17 protesters.

There were no specific reports of injuries among the protesters but some of them also appeared to be wounded.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the police action was an effort to quell the violence. The Western Wall plaza, below the Temple Mount, was evacuated after the stone-throwing began in an effort to prevent injuries, Israel Radio reported.

Protests in Nazareth
Also Friday, more than 10,000 protesters marched down Nazareth's main street in a protest against the renovation work.

The protestors carried posters depicting the Al-Aqsa Mosque and called for the Arab and Muslim world to respond to the "Jewish assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Leader of the Islamic Movement's Northern Branch, Sheikh Ra'ad Salah, addressed the gatherers and commented on an event that took place earlier in the week in which he was filmed spitting at a police officer outside the Temple Mount. The Muslim cleric said his action was aimed at the "establishment," not against any particular police officer.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided Thursday that the renovations would continue despite the demonstrations and the fear of violent confrontations.

Related articles:

NEWS:
Livni: Extremists using J'lem dig for their own political benefit
Abdullah: Temple Mount work endangers regional stability

ANALYSIS AND OPINION:
Editorial: Temple Mount truths
Nadav Shragai: 'Defend Al-Aqsa campaign' strikes again
Yossi Sarid: Sullying the silence
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  1.   Time to calm things down 02:16  |  Mark Lincoln 09/02/07
  2.   response to mark lincoln 04:01  |  Nathan 09/02/07
  3.   ONLY BY REMOVAL OF AL-AKSA AND THE DOME, THIS MADNESS WILL STOP 04:11  |  Like it is 09/02/07
  4.   You are inocent or stupid? 05:27  |  Haim 09/02/07
  5.   Arab world bossing around Israel sovereignty 06:02  |  Joseph E . 09/02/07
  6.   Sucker Israel Gov`t satisfied with a wall instead of a Temple 06:33  |  Joseph E . 09/02/07
  7.   Egypt, once again, interfere in the internal affairs of another 06:46  |  Nadav 09/02/07
  8.   Israel Gov`t , 06:54  |  Joseph E . 09/02/07
  9.   To #2 - you are mad 07:22  |  honestywithoutmercy 09/02/07
  10.   Arabs demands to veto issues of vital importance to the state , 07:46  |  Joseph E . 09/02/07
  11.   RESPONSE TO #1 07:55  |  Kipperraes 09/02/07
  12.   People have every right to be suspecious of Israel`s actions 08:09  |  Joe 09/02/07
  13.   Har HaBayit Hasbara HaYom! 08:27  |  Lavi 09/02/07
  14.   People have every right to be suspecious of Israel`s actions 08:49  |  Joe 09/02/07
  15.   J`lem 08:54  |  Benaly 09/02/07
  16.   To Mark Lincoln #1...dumb statement 09:10  |  SLAVO 09/02/07
  17.   Honouring the Dome 09:58  |  Brad 09/02/07
  18.   Do not give in to pressure... 10:10  |  Willy 09/02/07
  19.   Provocation continues; aim - jump-starting violence 11:32  |  www.kibush.co.il 09/02/07
  20.   # 1 Mark Lincoln is right 13:15  |  Lynn 09/02/07
  21.   "Stupid leaders" 13:17  |  daniel 09/02/07
  22.   Fight for United Jerusalem , NO Withdrawal , NO Retreat , 13:18  |  Joseph E . 09/02/07
  23.   To MArk Lncoln 13:20  |  Big Bear 09/02/07
  24.   Provocations, provocations, provocations 13:22  |  Sam 09/02/07
  25.   Wisdom of Egypt 13:24  |  christoph 09/02/07
  26.   #19 KEY BUSH 13:37  |  MOO HAM 09/02/07
  27.   Who Built The Wailing Wall? 13:47  |  Mazar Student 09/02/07
  28.   We should all thank the Islamic Movement inside Israel, and the.. 13:48  |  Nadav 09/02/07
  29.   Al Aqsa demonstration 13:52  |  abjad 09/02/07
  30.   NOT THIS TIME! 14:01  |  Brant 09/02/07
  31.   # 19, you know full well, living in Jerusalem, that the repair... 14:02  |  Nadav 09/02/07
  32.   they need help 14:15  |  anna-maria 09/02/07
  33.   JOE IN RAMALLAH 14:17  |  Brant 09/02/07
  34.   Joe from Ramalla big specialist 14:18  |  Alona 09/02/07
  35.   Haaretz lies again 14:18  |  Lebanese in Canada 09/02/07
  36.   Muslims have to learn to coexist with non-Muslims. 14:21  |  Joe 09/02/07
  37.   Jews have an inalienable HUMAN RIGHT of FREEDOM OF RELIGION 14:24  |  Joe 09/02/07
  38.   Disrespect 14:35  |  Jerry D 09/02/07
  39.   What is the use of that bridge? 14:36  |  Adina 09/02/07
  40.   This is violent Islamism blowing up the statue of the Buddha! 14:42  |  Hal 09/02/07
  41.   abjad, sitting in London, not in Jerusalem, and telling us what,. 14:51  |  Nadav 09/02/07
  42.   Remembering who the real enemy is 14:55  |  Mahmoud Barghouiti 09/02/07
  43.   Olmert out! 15:03  |  mb 09/02/07
  44.   no 2 jews agree on the same opinions.. 15:06  |  tareq 09/02/07
  45.   Racist Arab Muslim bigots desecrating our holiest site 15:10  |  Yacov 09/02/07
  46.   #29 15:10  |  Chris Linthwaite 09/02/07
  47.   There are no rocks there! 15:11  |  Freeda 09/02/07
  48.   Any excuse 15:14  |  SystemF 09/02/07
  49.   The Temple Mount is holy to Jews only 15:37  |  AV 09/02/07
  50.   rioters leave temple mt peacefully? 15:41  |  yahn goodey 09/02/07
  51.   Why should we be bullied by thugs! 15:46  |  JDM 09/02/07
  52.   # 23 Big Bear 15:58  |  Lynn 09/02/07
  53.   # 30 Which is why the camera 16:02  |  Lynn 09/02/07
  54.   # 46 Chris 16:04  |  Lynn 09/02/07
  55.   #1: stairway will collapse 16:13  |  Paul Freedman 09/02/07
  56.   it is not a question of religion 16:14  |  Jel 09/02/07
  57.   What is the big deal with these hypocrites ?? 16:16  |  Avrum 09/02/07
  58.   What is the big deal with these hypocrites ?? 16:17  |  Avrum 09/02/07
  59.   I guess the police didn`t get the same sensitivity training that 16:18  |  Apartheid 09/02/07
  60.   # 12 Reply To Joe 16:18  |  Tony Anthony 09/02/07
  61.   Mahmoud Barghouiti # 42 16:24  |  Avrum 09/02/07
  62.   #47 Freeda Free up your eyes 16:27  |  JumbledUp 09/02/07
  63.   Cowards hide and throw rocks from holy sites 16:27  |  Richard S 09/02/07
  64.   Remove the mosks 16:28  |  Kirk 09/02/07
  65.   Provocations, provocations, provocations