Erekat: Israel deliberately escalating tensions in Jerusalem

we had ultra religious jews rioting in jersualem on sabbath, thus defiling what they claimed was holy, now we have moslems throwing rocks. same sick phenomenon. religion should be lived and embodied in good actions, not physical acts of violence against others. in this respect, some extremists of both religions defile everyone. thank you, yom tov.

bibi this bibi that.everything you say is,to me,indisputable.but,and this,again to me,is the mother but-what is the role of the U.S.A in all this?because it could not happen unless the u.s was a full,not to say senior,partner.financing,arming,backing,for decades.i consider it a joint venture.what the u.s and israel hope to achieve,and what is the likelihood of "success" is another question.assuming you describe objectives correctly,why is the u.s. interested and desirous of such outcome?could an irrational,so called "religious" motivation lie behind u.s. long standing stance and acts?its,britain's and the rest of the "west's"?

On May 15th 1948 the GRATEbritish Mandate over OUR LAND and PEOPLE came to an end. Sorry if we preempted that odious event and declared our independence on the night before....May 14th 1948

You talk about Livni vs Netanyahu plus Lieberman but do not mention how the latter two came to power although Livni was ahead of Netanyahu. Simple my dear Mark. After the Palestinians elected Hamas in a democratic election, Netanyahu won our 2009 election with 27 seats plus Lieberman's 15, a fantastic change from Likud's 12 seats from the previous 2006 election! What should Israelis have done facing Hamas? Turn the other cheek? Not that I agree...

when they visit holy site to pray on Yom Kipur. Disgrace for the whole Umma to which there is no equal! They are stoning children of Abraham on their holy mission! Did they completely loose their minds of their own? Or do they really want to invite the ire of the creator?

and so could most of you. His statements might be biased but we know where he comes from. He's not a terrorist or an extremist. God Bless Him and Protect Erekat Israel!

Not only will there be no Palestinians state, there will be no place within the West Bank and Gaza for Palestinians. It remains a question whether there will be a place within the Jewish Nation of Israel for any Arabs at all. Tzip Livni, a year ago, and far to the left of Netanyahu or Lieberman, suggested that a Palestinian state might be the perfect place to go for Israeli Arabs. Netanyahu and Lieberman have remained silent except for their blatant racism towards Arabs. But then they do not wish to see a Palestinians state where Israeli Arabs might flee to. Livni was wiling to provide a refuge to Israeli Arabs. Netanyahu and Lieberman wish them no place to go.

Not Israel Mr. Erekat.You are deliberately escalating tensions in Jerusalem by incendiary provocations like We'll sacrifice victims until Jerusalem is ours. You are deliberately escalating tensions with Israel by claiming all Jerusalem for yourselves and by attacking Jewish holy sites as you did on February 2008 when you tried to burn Joseph's Tomb or now when you refuse to allow Jews to pray atop the Temple Mount and stone Jews who go there before their holiest day. Is this a glimpse into Jewish life in your future Palestinian country?

So, their were 15 religious Jews ready to commit suicide by entering into the Pal was nest? And to think, they didn't have weapons. Crazy those Jews.

enter? Afterall, the Pals know that the site is holy to Jews. They know that as a colonial, imperialistic act, they built on top of a site holy to Judaism. How would Pals like it if Israel built a supertower synagogue over their mosque?

there would be no reason for Israelies to DEFEND themselves. Once again self defence by Israel is "escalating tensions". Call off your self defeating, barbaric, violent, deulsional thugs and both Pal and Israeli children will have a chance to enjoy life in peace and security. Keep attacking Jews for "being", for living in their ancestral homeland, for visiting the Jewish city that King David built, and your lives (& Israeli lives) will simply be miserable. Weird that Pals always make the wrong choice. Of course, part of Pal folly is fueld by people like Neil who focus on words & ignore both context and deeds.

Just because Sharon was visiting the Temple Mount, the holiest Jewish site (and only the 3rd in Islam), doesn't a violent intifada make. Arafat was looking for a way to draw attention away from his rejection of any peace deal.

The difference is that Jews condemned that attack on Muslims. There is never a condemnation by Muslims when Muslims attack Jews.

You are obviously not informed. It is Israel that is digging under the Aqsa compound, not Palestinians or Muslims. Israel is trying to find any artifact to lay claim to the site. So far the only thing they could find are ancient artifacts which indicate that there were Islamic schools there. Sorry if the truth hurts.

Sorry buddy, but if you believe in Jewish tradition, the remnants of the Temple won't be rebuilt unless God ordains it to be. The only thing I see on this site is the holy Islamic site. Obviously, this is God's intent. I say this being neither, a Jew or a Moslem.

Folks I agree that Israel is putting off peace again. The reasons are well explained here: http://monabaker.com/quotes.htm "We must expel Arabs and take their places." -- David Ben Gurion, 1937, Ben Gurion and the Palestine Arabs, Oxford University Press, 1985. and "Everybody has to move, run and grab as many (Palestinian) hilltops as they can to enlarge the (Jewish) settlements because everything we take now will stay ours...Everything we don't grab will go to them." -- Ariel Sharon 1998 And so it goes on. . . . Israel does not intend to stop. Boycotts may help to stop them. . .

"But to those who gave this Holocaust denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people, and decent people everywhere: Have you no shame? Have you no decency?" "OH YEA HYPOCRITES" Remenber what the May 15th Have told you in the post titled ? May 15th Chronicle, the Armenian Genocide and Woe to the False Prophets Google search the May 15th Prophecy and you will see what is about to happen next!!

In Israel, anyone can visit any holy sites. Holy sites under Muslim control are forbidden to everyone except Muslims.

If Israel was not an ally of the US or the "West", the rest of the world would consider Israel to be a free democracy. The regime would be sanctioned for it's racist apartheid policies, constant land grabbing and genocide. This nation is no less moral than say Sudan! The people in the Govt of this nation care more about the Hebrew Bible than the will of the people or the rest of the world

something violent about to happen in Palestine

I would have kicked them straight out on their asses, A Deliberate provocation by the Israelis. How much more land do you intend to steal?

Netanyahu has skunked Obama Mr. Erekat. The peace initiative is dead as a door nail. Quit whining. No one cares. There is no dealing with a man who respects only force and knows only violence. Especially when he has the overwhelming support of his nation. The Two-State solution is dead. There will never be a Palestine. Israel's goal is all or nothing, and you have nothing to stop them from getting everything.

Every Jewish holiday/holy day is just another form of collective punishment for the Palestinians in the WB. More curfews/closures/roadblocks/etc/etc. The WB Palestinians are forced to live by the Jewish Calendar. Aside from then they are generally oppressed/denied statehood/etc of course. The continued oppressive Israeli occupation and subjugation of Arab/Muslims is prime reason why Muslim countries/rest of the world will not respect Israel. It isn't rocket science...

"All Israeli citizens will either be soldiers, have children who will be soldiers or will some day help a soldier, and thus they are all military targets. How exactly does the left expect to compromise and talk to people with such logic?" Well,for Israel everybody in Gaza is Hamas;All Gaza citizens will either be Hamas "terrorists", have children who will be Hamas terrorists or will some day help a Hamas terrorist, and thus they are all military targets. that's at least the impression u got counting the civilian victims of Cast Lead. How exactly does Fatah expect to compromise and talk to people with such logic? Well, they just do because it's the right thing to do. Try to see both sides, it's called compassion, remember?

but you forgot about the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which Arafat's pals also destroyed

Or maybe Abbas' little announcement that there well be no negotiations, no compromise, and certainly no peace until he gets everything he wants, does not excalate tensions? Abbas, Erekat and the PA are once again running from the peace table.

"Hundreds of Palestinians riot over Temple Mount restrictions" (Haaretz 13/10/2006) "IDF blocks West Bank Palestinians trying to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque" (Haaretz 15/9/07) There are numerous media reports of Israel's restriction on Muslim freedom of worship, lily.

Its 2040 years past due that Jews regain TOTAL sovereignty over ALL holy places in Israel, especially the temple mount.

The same individuals that are so vocal over their demands for a fully secular environment are the ones that most vociferously oppose open access to Holy Sites. Despite the FACT that there is an understanding between the Waqf and the Israelis that on several occasions annually the Muslims would not attempt to impede a small Jewish contingent to the Temple Mount, the Islamists routinely use it as a preface for attacks. And the same "secularists" who also vehemently attack Israel use it as an excuse to increase the velocity of their diatribes. We do remember what happened to the Jericho Synagogue and Joseph's Tomb under PA control ---DESTROYED! And it is a fact that the Waqf also has been destroying Jewish artifacts under the Mount as evidenced by the 40+ truckloads of what they called "garbage" now being sifted through at a Jerusalem dump. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3362223,00.html

all Jes as well? Murray of Montreal Why is it that the Mulims can`t get along with the Christians either?- Murray of Montreal Why is it that Muslim extremists in the UK blew up a bus, train and tried to attack planes and an airport? Murray of Montreal Open your eyes. The Muslims live among you in Canada and here in the US. They live in Europe as well. Take note of your sentence. Notice the word extremists. That is the group that is responsible. Not all Muslims. I seem to recall reading if Jewish fanatics that acted like terrorists. One such being the guy that machine gunned a number of Muslims at a mosque.

gangsters say no...??

Iran attempts to raises the tension and pressure in the region.

The temple mount is not only a Muslim Holy Place it is also a Jewish holy place as its title suggests, the administration of which is ceded by the authorities to the Muslims in good faith. All worshipers have the right to worship there regardless of their religion similar the the examples you quoted in your post.

The picture of the bare-chested guy with the slingshot ... is there an Islamic dress code for men? I remember in the church of the Holy Sepulchre, men with short pants were not allowed into the place where Jesus died, and I've also seen that in Thailand. But for Muslim men, in war anything is fair? Remember the girls who died in a dormitory fire in Saudi, the Religious Police didn't let them out because they were not properly dressed? But for men everything is allowed, anywhere? Hello, Human Rights Watch.

Judaism, the religion of peace. 1300 killed in Operation Cast Lead, mostly civilians. Everyday humiliation of the Israeli gentile natives. Inhumane sanctions against Gaza. Nothing can be imported, and just recently these followers of the religion of peace decided to let the gentiles of Gaza enjoy noodles... Who the hell would accept this?! Who the hell would accept 61 years of religiously based oppression because some religious fanatics believe God gave it to them, and only them? America? England? France?

First off you are not correct, some Jewish groups do allow, even encourage its members to visit parts of the temple mount. Second what does this have anything to do with it? Why can't Jews like Muslims or Christians visit, even pray on the temple mount? I wonder sir if the situation had been reversed would you let some radical Jews "deal" with a group of Palestinians, or are Jews the only ones who can be "gifted" with stones when they wish to pray.

It's not fashionable in today's world to say you hate Jews. So the word has merely changed to "Zionist".

what a peace loving religion - i am surprised they get such bad press

Why does Israel continue to let Muslims occupy the Temple Mount, the Holy of Holies. Time and again they show they dont respect other religious holy sites, and the Temple Mount is the Holiest of them all. Its time to ban EVERYONE from the Temple Mount for peace and respect. If the Wakf cant show respect for Jews its time to ban them and everyone else from the Temple Mount once and for all.

the Christians either? Why is it that Muslim extremists in the UK blew up a bus, train and tried to attack planes and an airport? What did the Spanish do that they deserved to have their trains blown up? Why have Christians left Gaza and the West Bank? And why are they persecuted in Egypt and Iraq? Why are churches banned in Saudi Arabia?

Since they threw stones during the parking lot riots, should they also be collectively punished?

It's unfortunate that this incident took place- religious sites in Jersualem should be open to and accessible by all. However to use this incident to express outrage at the Palestinian population is unjust- this was a recent incident where stones were thrown- lets not forget about Palestinians in Hebron who have stones, chairs, dirty diapers etc thrown at them on a daily basis!!!! And lets not forget the massacre at the mosque by the patriarchs tombs a few years back. For Jews to act all righteous and victimised over this incident is unjust... everyone has blood on their hands!

Couple of comments. First only allow the Temple Mount opened up to Jews only. Next clean up around the Temple Mount and get rid of all those rocks and stones. Where are they coming from? Are the Palestinians bringing them with them?

commit one? Actually, what is the crime here? Jews went into a Muslim holy place? I have been to Notre Dame de Paris, Ste Chapelle, La Madeleine, the Vatican and many other churches, and never been accused of a crime

You make a very valid point, thanx for your comment.

It is permitted to visit the Temple Mount. For all.

Pathetic excuse by Hamas to cause trouble.

Isn't there a better way to cover that event than by quoting Hamas opinion in the title? It sounds like the Hamas opinion becomes the official opinion. If it is the case there must be something I am missing ...

thus, anything a Zionist does constitutes a zionist crime. This is a repeated theme in Hamas and even Fath logic: All Israeli citizens will either be soldiers, have children who will be soldiers or will some day help a soldier, and thus they are all military targets. How exactly does the left expect to compromise and talk to people with such logic?

why would palestinians throw stones on worshipers?? they threw stones on the attackers who take a step by step actions toward the destruction of al Aqsa mosque eventually, in order to build their temple, first they will start by visiting then dividing it, same as the Mosque of Ibrahim (the Cave of the Patriarchs)in hebron. it is the duty of stone throwers to defend not to attack worshipers.

You forgot to mention Pann D and operation Barak. or Deir yassin. Or after Israel started the 67 war they had buldowsers[favorite piece of equiptment] changing the landscape of the western wall within hours of the ceasefire. perhaps you should read history boobks written by someone other than Alan Dershowitz

Palestinian anger is a natural consequence of Israel's theft of their homeland and holy sites. All animals have an inborn sense and right to defend themselves itself against foreign intruders and in man's case the law recoginizes this as the lawful right to rresist. The good news today many Americans are on the side and are refus- ing to accept their governments unconditional support for Israel. Israelis will never make if in the Middle East based on the status quo. Americans will help force them out. Dutch

Everyone knows that from 1948 to 1967, the Jordanian army absolutely refused to let a single Jew come to the Western Wall of the Temple. In 1967, as soon as Israel had gotten that Jewish real estate back, Israel, perhaps to show its morals and values, IMMEDIATELY placed the two mosques atop the Temple Mount in the sole jurisdiction of the Moslem Wakf, the protector of Islamic holy sites. That move would have been akin to the Jordanians giving the Jews control of the Western Wall from 48-67! Interestingly, in the 1980s (up until the 88 Intifadeh) Jews used to respectfully visit the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa; Jews used to be welcome in east Jerusalem at wonderfully long lost Arab restaurants like "Philadelphia" and the souks abounded with tourists of every race and religion. The fact that that Jews are essentially forbidden from visiting today and doing so is considered a "Zionist crime" speaks only and loudly of terrible Arab/Islamic fear.

Toby's warped view of reality is so amazing. If there is any Apartheid, a Jew should try to return alive from certain parts of the West Bank. Thank goodness for the Wall, how many hundreds of lives have been saved. Please don't be a parrot and repeat the same BS lines that are constantly repeated, over and over, any problem the Arabs face is a result of their corrupt leadership, not Israel. There will never be peace or Statehood with this bloodthirsty bunch. Put a suit on Abbas, he's still a thug. The Temple Mount is defiled by the Arab presence daily, void of any sanctity or holiness. G-d must cry to see what has become of His home !!!

They already kicked out all the Jews and stole all their assets. What kind of escalation is he referring to?

Hamas and palis are always looking for an excuse tpo spark a confrontation, fight, kill someone for some perceicved slight or wrong which in their wapred perception has caused them (hamas) no small insult. I say to hamas this. If you want to have another go at the IDF, then dont beat around the bush and try to get others to do your dirty laundry. Just say you want to have another go. The IDF would be pleased to give you opportunity to martyr yourselves and die for your principles.... whatever primnciples you have that is So go ahead hamas bring on the death march and let it be over with.

Israeli Borders in general will be closed on Yom Kippur including into and out of Jordan and Egypt... Why? Because it is not fair to make so many people work the borders on such a holy day. Saying that borders also being closed in the West Bank as a matter of discrimination doesn't really fit here--mostly logistics.

Talal, Ha'aretz clearly states that the Jewish group were going up to temple mount as well. I however, see very little difference between people on Temple Mount or people bellow at the Wall. Muslims have no monopoly on Temple Mount and the attack was uncalled for in most respects.

They are the"occupied"the"under dog"and they don't allow religious freedom.Think of what they would do if they were the"occupier"the winner.All must respect Islam,and Islam respect non,not even Islam.

if E. J'lem becomes Pal Capital.

I think you mean "nine"--either way, quite the Freudian slip ...

It's time that Israel get serious with these palestinians and put them back in their cage. no different then what the world needs to do with iran.

How does Haaretz know these rioters are Palestinians? Some of them may have Palestinian aspirations but most are Israeli. They are Arabs or Muslims or violent intolerant Muslim Arabs but Palestinian?Who knows?

I wonder which Palestinians spread that rumor, Mr. Bkirat. Oh, did your source forget to mention- settlers also steal Palestinian babies and cook them up for the pre-fast festival meal.

Well Toby let me clean it up some more for you. Since in the past the Muslims have taken advantage of us lowering our guard on our most sacred holidays in an attempt to destroy us we will put our foot on their necks to make sure they do not try this again.

i want to know what is the truth, harretz says palestinians throw stone on wall worshippers. Arab site says the palestinian clashed with the israeli that tried to walk up to the temple mount

Say there is a construction site on the road and you can barely pass. There is a roadsign saying" cross over to the other side" You decide to try and pass anyway. So if I follow your logic... the police should stone you!!! I would invite some Palestinians do that for the police, they're more professional!!!

With each stone the Pals move further and further away from any independent state of their own.

End the occupation of holy Jewish sites. THere will only be peace when the saudi and jordanian occupation of Israel ends.

At least Jews respect Ramadam and Muslim holidays. No stones thrown by Jews. What a reputation they give the wider society...........

Who do you think built the wall over two thousand years ago where today's violence occurred? Your world view is skewed, ignorant,and deficient, but will you adjust your thought process to accommodate fact? Never. You are incapable of the intellectual honesty necessary to deal with this issue and can only spew your agenda driven hate to others of your ilk in the UK. In the final analysis you are simply another Jew hating liar in a land that is lousy with them. Cannot those who campaign for the Palestinian cause do so with honor and truth?

UN divided Palestinian Mandate in 1947, five Arab armies invaded in 1948, they killed one per cent of all Jews then living in the Newly created state of Israel, but failed to win the war, however Jordan took over Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, killing many Jews in the process and turning the Mount of Olives cemetery into a stone bank for their road building activities, also turning Western Wall into latrine. They restricted entrance to Christians and Jews alike to the city's holy sites. In 1967 war, Israel took back Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, but Dayan gave control of the Temple Mount to Muslims so they could pray there. They immediately started to erase all the remains of ancient Jewish history, using the stones to hurl at Jews praying at Western Wall, refurbished and cleansed of the filth left there by the Arabs. Have I got it right so far? Now they refuse to allow Jews to pray atop the Temple Mount and stone Jews who go there before our holiest day. Funny way to get peace

This would guarantee the free access to it ,right ?

they are confident that they won't be attacked by Israelis/Jews. No respect for Jews its a note to be made for the hate they bear Jews and how Jews will never be tolerated in their Jewish homeland if this is given over the the muslims.

What he means to say is that the occupation forces will allow the illegally installed civilian population to go about their normal business but the occupied population mostly living behind the illegal Apartheid will be oppressed. There fixed it for you.

Putting down riots and then going "back to routine" as if nothing happened will just let these things continue. If we Jews (and tourists) were kept out this morning, then the moslems must be kept out until after succot. Then perhaps they will think twice about rioting. They stole my basic rights this morning, they should lose theirs for a while....

These "Jews" were attempting to go up to the temple Mount although being impure Judaism prevents them to defile this Holy Place. the fact that they were exceptionnaly allowed by police to do so is not relevent.Police should have let the Arabs "deal" with these 100 Jews or so who. Arabs did not through stones down onto legitime Jeish worshippers at the Western Wall.