• Published 12:00 04.10.09
  • Latest update 23:50 04.10.09

Jordan rebukes Israel over Temple Mount strife

Islamic leader urges Israeli Arabs: Rally at Temple Mount; Israel keeps site closed after day of clashes.

By Jack Khoury, Jonathan Lis and Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Temple Mount

The Jordanian government on Sunday summoned Israel's envoy to Amman for rebuke over the recent tensions at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Ambassador Jacob Rosen was called in to Jordan's Foreign Ministry, following a day of clashes at the old city compound. This is the second time in a week that Jordan has called in an Israeli diplomat regarding the Temple Mount tensions.

In its rebuke, Jordan called Israeli activities in East Jerusalem "illegal and illegitimate," adding that it represented a violation of Israel's commitments to peace.

An Islamic Movement leader earlier Sunday urged Muslims across Israel to gather at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to prevent extreme right-wing Jews from entering the compound to pray.

"I call on everyone in Jerusalem and within the Green Line to come to the [Al-Qasa] mosque and show your presence," said Sheik Ra'ad Salah, who heads the northern branch of the Islamic Movement.

Following the clashes near the Temple Mount on Sunday, Israeli security forces have decided to limit access to the compound for another day.

The compound will be open only to men over the age of 50 with a valid Israeli identification card and to women of all ages.

Tensions in the Old City seemed to have calmed by late Sunday afternoon, following hours of clashes between Arab youth and security forces.

Israeli security forces released from custody Jerusalem's senior Fatah official, Khatem Abed Al-Kadr, who was arrested earlier in the day on suspicion of inciting riots.

Al-Kadr was released on condition that he not enter the Old City of Jerusalem and that he remain at least 250 meters from the area gates for 15 days. He was released on NIS 10,000 bail.

Deputy leader of Israel's northern Islamic Movement, Sheikh Kemal Khativ, was also released on similar conditions.

Some 150 Palestinian protesters hurled rocks and bottles at Israeli police on Sunday after being barred from one of the holiest shrines in Jerusalem, on Temple Mount.

Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said police have dispersed the demonstrators who had gathered near the disputed hilltop compound.

One police officer was lightly hurt in the clash.

Ben-Ruby said that the unrest continued at a nearby East Jerusalem neighborhood and that three men have been detained.

Earlier Sunday, police closed the Temple Mount complex to visitors. The complex is sacred to Jews as the site of the two biblical Jewish temples and to Muslims as home of the al-Aqsa mosque.

The closure was imposed after Palestinians rioted at the site last week on Yom Kippur. The northern chapter of the Islamic Movement reported Sunday morning that buses en route to the Al-Aqsa mosque had been detained on route 6.

It was further reported that tensions were high in the area following recent calls on Muslim residents of East Jerusalem to show a presence at the mosque.

On Friday, the Islamic Movement held a rally in the Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm, under the heading "Al-Aqsa is in danger." The rally is a 14-year old annual tradition.

Salah warned Friday against Israel's alleged plan to take over the mosque. "[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu will set the Middle East on fire," the movement's leader told his supporters at the rally.

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  • 45. 0 0
    aish 37
    • potobac
    • 06.10.09
    • 10:24

    When you speak so scornfully about their mythology, remember they have problems with your mythology that God gave the land to you, and that this gift means everyone else has to get out of your way.

  • 44. 0 0
    scallywag 17
    • potobac
    • 06.10.09
    • 10:19

    Maybe the Arabs want to prevent Jews from praying at the temple mount because they don't want the camel to get his nose in the tent.

  • 43. 0 0
    the same bs
    • Chaphari
    • 06.10.09
    • 04:20

    that the aaarabs have been spewing forever. Just fffing get a life y'all. Your ascendancy is so over. Accept the truth and move on. As soon as your frigging oil is done , what do you all have? lots and lots of camel crap and hordes of uneducated, ignorant, superstitious and repressed masses. Good luck wid dat!

  • 42. 0 0
    This is the same excuse they used for the 1929 and 1936 riots
    • RB
    • 05.10.09
    • 07:19

    when they killed Jews in Hebron, Jerusalem, and Tzfat.

  • 41. 0 0
    Rain on the parade
    • utagawa
    • 05.10.09
    • 05:48

    Why do Muslims want to ruin every Jewish holiday? They have no respect for others, even if they profess that Jews are people of the book.

  • 40. 0 0
    The Temple Mount
    • Beit David
    • 05.10.09
    • 03:12

    The Jordanians need to mind their own business, considering the kind of job they did before 1967. Jews were NOT even allowed near the Temple Mount. The moslems created this myth that the Temple Mount is their's. History proves them completely wrong. We were there over 1400 years before them. They are still there only by Israeli sufferance. It is an insult to Jews world-wide to see them still occupying one of our holiest sites. They have done exactly what they did in India with the mosque on an India temple site. If "Jordan" says that they are champions of the palestinians, then they are saying without saying that Jordan is palestine. Therefore, these people who call themselves palestinians should move back to Jordan/palestine where they came from.

  • 39. 0 0
    Remember Black Sept., Jordan?? Has it
    • Josiah J. Ben David
    • 05.10.09
    • 02:38

    been that long since Jordan killed Palestinians by the thousands when the PLO rioted and tried to take over their country. Now Jordan points a bloody finger at Israel? Palestinians have in the past rioted in most major cities in the Middle East, even Damascus. If Jordan want a chance to do better than Israel then take them back Jordan !

  • 38. 0 0
    This is just awful!
    • WHG
    • 05.10.09
    • 01:17

    All these nut jobs screaming about their claims to pieces of geography based on 2 an 3 thousand year old stories. For heavens' sake, think about the flesh and blood people who are alive now; about the Palestinians who were uprooted when the State of israel was founded; about the needs of the Jews for a secure homeland; about the people of Gaza imprisoned by a powerful Israel; about the decent people of Sderot in fear of rocket fire from the craziest of the Gazans; about the palestinian inhabitants of the West Bank under the boot of Israeli occupation. Think about humanity!

  • 37. 0 0
    scallywag: Islamic mythology dictates that....
    • Aish
    • 05.10.09
    • 01:09

    their prophet visited the farthest mosque which was later conveniently decided to be The Temple Mount. Islam takes over the holy sites of other religions in order to destroy any other religious history. If this tactic is turned on them they go crazy because they know it is effective. The fact is no one cares about their religion and its claims on the Temple Mount. They are in denial about the powerlessness of their dogma. They have power because of the 2-5% of them that are homecidal lunitics. Take those away and they would be like any other peaceful religion. Let's hope the sane muslims realize this so we can avoid having to destroy those insane people.

  • 36. 0 0
    rocket and morter attacks
    • vik
    • 05.10.09
    • 00:36

    Jodran has never rebuked the PALs over rocket attacks. Firing rockets at civilians is far worse that building homes for people to live in.

  • 35. 0 0
    Reza Shah _ Relax. Go To Sarband, Eat Some
    • Eli
    • 05.10.09
    • 00:31

    chelo kabab in the cafe on the river and drink some cold arak to cool your pipes. Sorry, I forgot you can not drink arak. Ok, then drink some cold water. By the way, are you allowed to post under Reza Shah from Iran? I think the Mullahs will hang you for that. Oh...you are really posting from Ramallah. Aha. I got it.

  • 34. 0 0
    is this PROVOCATION or what?
    • VIPER
    • 05.10.09
    • 00:18

    come on christian zionists, tell me, what would you do it they barred all christians from going to their site?, it's a disgrace, israeli soldiers so though with weapons in hand, and cry like little babies when confronting men with real weapons.

  • 33. 0 0
    #1
    • Aama
    • 05.10.09
    • 00:18

    The day is going to come when the US stops supporting ingnorants ppl like you, then you'll beg the arabs for peace.

  • 32. 0 0
    Retake control and stop complaining
    • SOS (save our state)
    • 05.10.09
    • 00:09

    Israel must stop this one directional drift toward eradication. Dayan Rabin, and Sharon were wrong in acceding to Arab/UN/US demands. Reoccupy the Temple Mount and kick the Moslem inciters of violence and evil out of the land of Israel, Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Expel all the NGO's, and every single "student" helping the Pals. Genuflecting to the UN or the Quartet is only a path to slavery. You are on a Road Map to your grave, paved with 60 years of false promises, self delusion, betrayals and hypocritical pretensions by the UN, the EU and by the US. Finish off Hamas in Gaza and eradicate everyone of those Jihadist bastards, starting with the school teachers, imams, politicians,and most particularly, UNWRA and its employees. Deport the lot into Quisling Lebanon--who deserve them. Bibi, you aren't gaining. The Road Map is a road to the grave. the road is paved with lie, false promises, broken promises, and betrayal. Stop. Institute the death penalty for traitors and murderers.

  • 31. 0 0
    Why the reticence?
    • sh
    • 04.10.09
    • 23:58

    "unrest continued at a nearby East Jerusalem neighborhood" Not Ras Al-Amud by any chance? Or Silwan maybe? Demolishing houses in order to build fortresses for settlers in the middle of closely built up areas might have something to do with it. Or perhaps the fact that nothing may be allowed to ruin Sukkot for us, consequently the West Bankers are sealed in for the duration of the week and the police is out in force to restrain those whose movements the law cannot curtail without justification? Oh my, it never changes. Up the ante and success will always be guaranteed.

  • 30. 0 0
    do extreme left wing jews get in then?
    • odles
    • 04.10.09
    • 23:54

    what about christians? buddhists? clearly this is cynical religious incitement by moslems against jews. the israeli police consistently block the so-called "temple mount faithful" from going up there to pray. the moslems consistently throw rocks and junk at jews praying at the wailing wall. the moslem waqf is in charge up there. they carry out renovations as they see fit without interference from israeli authorities. they destroy antiquities belonging to biblical times to wipe out any evidence of a jewish or christian presence - this is the palestinian perspective - to rewrite history to suit them

  • 29. 0 0
    It is ours
    • Mick
    • 04.10.09
    • 23:46

    Let me know when. Of course it is ours. It was stolen from us by the muslims who only know to steal. They have yet to invent anything. They only know war, so let us defeat them again for good.

  • 28. 0 0
    We are packed and ready!
    • Moshe
    • 04.10.09
    • 23:23

    Yes! We have our equipment ready and we are going in the early morning to be there to lay those cornerstones! Let the Islamic horde come, we will be ready. Moshe Guy

  • 27. 0 0
    haram al sharif - moslem holy place; wailing wall -
    • odles
    • 04.10.09
    • 23:22

    urinal. at least that's what it was when controlled by the jordanians.

  • 26. 0 0
    The Muslims seek a confrontation, and when the police prevents
    • Daniela
    • 04.10.09
    • 23:13

    them from having one they accuse the police. And why seeking a confrontation? I don't know! Does anyone, or is it a confrontation for its own sake?

  • 25. 0 0
    LIVING IN ISRAEL SO HARD
    • TOBIA
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:59

    OT is very easy to throw rocks down and hit the victim. I dont recall reading Israeli throw rocks up. If living in Israel so hard move. I am sure your Muslim cousins will find space for you. Didnt they do it for the PAL???????????

  • 24. 0 0
    get rid of arabs , expulse them.
    • charro
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:56

    What a pitty, Israel should get rid of moslems who deny Jews to pray in the temple mount of next to the Kotel. Who are they who dictate the rules, It is unbelivable that the loosers dictate the terms of peace. Any way, always the antisemites will find a reason to incite new riots, big deal. Arabs only understand when force is aplied they the arabs dont respect weakness, look at the way sadam hissein rules Irak,killing all his enemies, and who said anything.NOBODY

  • 23. 0 0
    extreme right-wing Jews?
    • Matt
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:33

    Extreme right-wing Jews? Are you serious? Just for wanting to visit the holiest Jewish site in the world?

  • 22. 0 0
    Zionist Israeli to all Israeli Jews: Rally at the Temple Mount!
    • Yonatan
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:20

    It's ours, let's get it back. That's me speaking, of course.

  • 21. 0 0
    Jerusalem needs international peacekeepers
    • ghostoflutherblisset
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:16

    Japanese troops would be perfect for the job. Shinto soldiers would understand the importance of religious shrines w/o having any personal feelings one way or the other for the Temple Mount. The UN and the international community should get together and ask Japan to supply this need. They might be willing to do it for their national honor.

  • 20. 0 0
    Muslim provocateurs attacking Jewish worshipers
    • Roman
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:11

    Typical islamic respect for other religions. Destruction of Buddhas of Bamyan in Afghanistan,Joseph's tomb in flames,beheading of christians in Indonesia and now attacks against Jewish worshipers. And "moderate" Muslims are watching and watching and watching.Yaaawn. Are we here to become

  • 19. 0 0
    To talal: When The Arabs Accept the Jewish Right to Live in Peace
    • massaraksh
    • 04.10.09
    • 22:01

    If the Arabs wanted peace they'd have it a long time ago - all they have to do is to give up the dream of Judenrein Palestine.

  • 18. 0 0
    Sharon Part II
    • Stephen
    • 04.10.09
    • 21:55

    Just like ariel did in Sept 2000, that started the second intifada. Anything to stop peace.

  • 17. 0 0
  • 16. 0 0
    when?
    • talal
    • 04.10.09
    • 21:48

    when do israeli and palestinaians sit together, and stop killing each other. land is for both of you, better recongnize each other

  • 15. 0 0
    Who is the provocateur?
    • r cummings
    • 04.10.09
    • 21:48

    The problem started with Jewish ideologists allowed onto the Temple Mount using the opportunity to pray. As I understand it, there is an Halachic decree that Jews should NOT do so because of the issue of impurity and also doubts about the exact location of the former Temple. Some extremists in the National Religious Party disagree and seek to push the boat out, in defiance of Halachic law and one could argue common sense. There were no reports or accusations of stones being rained down on worshipers at the Western Wall at the outset. If that has happened since it is because an issue like this inevitably inflames passions and creates its own momentum. Far better that the NRP ideologues are restrained from whipping up passions like this in the future, which the ideologues on the other side are more than happy to escalate. Life would be a good deal more peaceful without religious extremists dictating the events.

  • 14. 0 0
    Israeli mistake -- showing Pals have a valid point in ownership
    • binny
    • 04.10.09
    • 21:19

    Closing the Temple Mount based upon political reasons just gives the PA justification to demand control over it in final negotiations. Israel should be doing absolutely everything to keep this open. That way Israel can point to how under their stewardship, access was alway assured, so it should stay in Israeli hands.

  • 13. 0 0
    Palestinian Perspective
    • Herzlich
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:57

    Talking to Palestinians today, I was told that Jewish settlers tried to enter the Temple Mount. Following the reports in haaretz and in Jerusalem Post, it is of interest that in the series of reports the earlier mentioned group of tourists is neither described nor coherently mentioned. In the end I only read about Muslim provocations and riots. I, therefore, am a bit confused and will refrain from condemning any party, until I had been there, and seen it myself. In the meantime I will keep on listening to both sides and will keep on talking. Thanks for your patient readings. Sincerely.

  • 12. 0 0
    bibi think of himself aS A"god"playing with fire
    • Reza Shah
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:54

    attacking moslem holy sites will backfire big time and not to his benefit people are fed up in the moslem world and waiting for spark

  • 11. 0 0
    Stop Arab Occupation!!!
    • ed
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:40

    It is about time to stop the Arab occupation of the land of Israel. Israel should finish the job of 1948

  • 10. 0 0
    Here's prescription for Israel Leaders
    • Milchemet Kloomkiyum
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:39

    When your enemies attack say: nu, nu, nu, nu. When your leftists attack say: nu, nu, nu When the Hareidim attack say: nu, nu

  • 9. 0 0
    yeah JO just in time for jewixsh holidaze
    • you provoke
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:38

    and blame the victums....it is the zionist way...and always look for any excuse to steal more land

  • 8. 0 0
    Israel cannot survive with a 5th column
    • bernard ross
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:38

    In the short term all those attempting to undermine the state should be expelled to gaza. In the long term Israel should consider expelling the arab colonisers back to (saudi) arabia from whence they came and from whom terror finance originates. This is no more incorrect than the africans expelling the euro colonisers out of africa. Furthermore, it is likely that israel will have to survive alone amidst global war and sanctions. The occupation of the saudi oil fields would aid Israeli energy independence. (Saudi) arabia is a huge land with few arabs left in it as they have colonised the mid east and africa.

  • 7. 0 0
    Every year at this time this happens
    • JO
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:20

    This is a major jewish holiday where Jews from all over Israel visit the old city and the Western Wall. Always there is trouble and because of this massive number of visitors the police do not allow traffic to enter the old city (all traffic-normally allowed) and alot of police active to make sure all goes well. There is no reason for these riots.

  • 6. 0 0
    zionism in action: supress and antagonize the indigenous people
    • we know you game
    • 04.10.09
    • 20:04

    and zionism will pay for its gross land theift and cruel suppression of the true ownes of the land...i know jews do not believe in heaven or hell...but hell believes in you for eternity

  • 5. 0 0
  • 4. 0 0
    Introduce the death penalty for treason an Ra'ad Salah&Vanunu!
    • arthur
    • 04.10.09
    • 15:32

    The Jewish state is under fire from within by traitors who do not accept the Jewish nature of the state. Those who openly call for the destruction and support violence against its fellow Jewish citizens should be prosecuted and when possible executed to set an example. Change the law please and impose the death penalty on traitore and make those traitors including professor Papper feel the full consequences of their treacherous actions.

  • 3. 0 0
    Sukkot a few years ago
    • Jackie
    • 04.10.09
    • 15:10

    It is currently Sukkot, one of the three pilgrimage festivals in Judaism, when Jews were commanded to go to the temple in Jerusalem. Riots round the time of the High Holy Days and Sukkot are common in Israel, as Arabs try to keep Jews from praying. I was in Jerusalem a few years ago during Sukkot and wished to pray at the Western Wall. As a cohen, I did not wish to go on the Mount itself, just to pray at the Wall. The rain of filth and stones from atop the Temple Mount prevented me from doing so. It seems to be a practice of Arabs to stop Jews from prayer, if at all feasible. Niggest mistake made by Dayan after winning the war was giving Arabs control of the heights above the wall.

  • 2. 0 0
    Once again, Muslims prove that they are just like everyone else
    • Shuki
    • 04.10.09
    • 15:07

    Spreading rumors that Jews are planning a takeover, added fuel to the fire which is this regional conflict, and mobilizing their army which is one comprised of everyday people; believers of Islam who never question their "leaders".

  • 1. 0 0
    The Sharon plan---Do what ever it takes to kill peace
    • Labhras
    • 04.10.09
    • 12:07

    The Zionist way of life. No Peace. No compromise. No Arabs.