Palestinian protesters dispersed after Temple Mount clashes with police

Even though I can't pray in the dome of the rock as a Christian I can pray about it. I pray that the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob will return the Mosque to the Jews for the rebuilding of the temple. And the dome of the rock can be moved to Mecca.

Dear Zilfa! Since when throwing stones and glasses is an act of democracy? Palestinians are getting played again and they think by demanding too much, they can get what they want. It has not worked for years and it will not work again now. Things are only going to get worse and Israel will get stronger and stronger as long as you keep asking for what you can't get. Pals keep waiting for a magical savior to get them to have the Jerusalem. Like they do not have other things to worry about. They are so far off independence but they think having their stamp on a mosque is going to solve all their issues... Look for solutions and stop blaming everyone else for your problems. Israel can't wait until you guys get your acts together. Life goes on and people will move on.

Cowardly rock throwing hooligans are managing to deter tourism and spoil sales at the arab merchant shops that depend on tourist trade for their sustenance

I dont understand the arguing on this site. The issue is simple why were those "youths" throwing rocks at anyone on the site? It doesnt matter if they were hardliners, tourists, priests, jews, etc. That's the problem in the ME. People cant just call a spade a spade. There's a problem when people feel as though its Ok to throw rocks at anyone. But the sad truth is that these same "youths" are the same ones that seem to throws rocks at people in the Kotel, destroys christian/jewish.bahai tombs, etc. It's just dumb "A bunch of religious jews are gonna do a pray-by at their holiest site." Oh no, the horror.

Perhaps living conditions have become unbearable for Christians there because of the efforts Israel has made to make living conditions unbearable. Though of that?

Premise. "If you follow the news, most of the violence and conflict in the world today either occur in the Muslim World or are caused, outside of the Muslim World, by Muslims..." The conclusion. The logical conclusion is that there is something in the 'Muslim world' that causes violence and conflict. Could it be OIL? Then again most if not all the wars in history were about riches and resources, which nation states garner through hegemony. So in the last couple of decades what hegemonic power is involved in these same resource conflicts? As for 'something in Islam' being the cause. Something in all the Abrahamic religions has led to violence over the centuries. The Judaic age was hardly infused with tolerance and Christianity, well need one elaborate? The difference is those religions were tempered by enlightenment ideals and somewhat marginalised in the process. When Egypt chose the path toward industrialization and modernization under the yoke of the British in the early 20thC they were denied it. As with secular movements in Iraq and Iran much later on. Today we all pay the price. Nonetheless, given time, space and encouragement [not crude threats and cruise missiles] Islam can *logically* adapt just as the other two violent creeds were eventually able to.

Sorry to disappoint you - I am not now nor have I ever been a Muslim. In my, long gone, teenage years I was an active member of a Christian church but now I am a pure atheist. I do however respect people of any faith who truely believe.

Brad, you are such an expert on those "extraordinarily dangerous people," heck, you must know many Arabs and surely lived in the Middle East, with Arabs, for many years. Then you should know the history of the region, the constant brutal invasions, like by the civilised Western Christians with their "peaceful" Crusades (kill a Moslem, go to heaven), or the takeover by the Ottomans, who despoiled Palestine of its resources and sent the young men to fight in their wars, never to return. And when the Brits promised the Arabs self-determination if they helped drive out the Turks, in 1917, suddenly, the Balfour Declaration that same year threatened the natives with demographic calamity by the mass immigration of European Jews. Arabs revolted against the treacherous British, were killed by them, then attacked by Jewish terrorists who instigated massacres, such as Deir Yassin, to frighten them. In 1948, 750,000 natives were driven out. And you say that the Arabs are dangerous?

Arabs are allowed to roam anywhere in Israel - but if Jews visit their Holy sites its provocation? OK - lets live up to arab standards - they bar Jews from their holy places. ITS TIME FOR FULL JEWISH CONTROL OVER HAR HABAYAT

Let me remind you that the dome was built ON TOP of the temple mount. This is conclusive proof that Jewish history predates Islam by thousands of years. And you insinuate that that site is Islamic Holy Ground?? If you muslims claim it is holy ground, then why do you show utter disrespect by hurling stones?

The article if you read carefully says the worshippers thought the tourists were actually Jews coming to the mosque area. They maybe thought that their religious site was under threat. It's understandable since the tomb of patriarchs and Rachel's tomb and other areas including mosques and are important to the Muslims, as well. Naturally, they're on the defensive. The Israeli Government provoked religious tensions. Israeli society is becoming more Old Testament like just as the Muslim Old Testament societies, IMHO. It's not good.

If it was Shas's idea about the heritage sites, it was a dumb one. It's one thing to say that a site is of Jewish religious heritage and to talk to the PA about working together so Jewish pilgrims could go there. It's on the West Bank, occupied land per international law. So, this would inflame religious tensions, anger America and the European Union. People outside the region are angry enough. Again, I think it's one thing to say Jewish heritage sites and work with the Palestinians on tourism or what not or pilgrimage, but unilaterlly saying you are going to build this or that on what people view as occupied land and that includes mosques is a recipe for problems. Israel's leaders think they can do fine without the support of the outside world. Israel is making the Palestinians feel more and more caged and angry.

they have never needed significant justification in any way, or for that matter any sense or education on their own history.....in fact the presence of "extremist settlers" (which is a laughable term considering an extremist palestinian makes the vast majority of settlers look like kindergarteners in terms of the lengths to which their extremism will carry them) has very often not been the pretext of palestinian stone throwing....in fact the palestinians, many full of hatred and entirely obtuse in their thoughts and actions are often looking for any and all justifications for the violence they desperately would like to commit against jews because they are too foolish and often too brainwashed too redress their grievances in the many other non-violent ways possible.

These Palestinian "protesters" are absolutely demented. Once again, their actions are excused by rumours and lies.

Where everything is turned on its head. "Arabs have no proble entering and desecrating synagogues without any reason" 'Settlers attack West Bank mosque and burn holy Muslim books' Dec 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6953281.ece

Christian holy sites have always been open to Christians in Israel. Bethlehem is not in Israel and it is not Israel that is walling it off. Perhaps living conditions have become unbearable for Christians there due to the Moslem violence that prevails in these areas? Thought of that?

Throughout history we have been persecuted by the likes of you - but have survived to become positive and progressive contributors to humanityin all spheres of life. You are envious to the nth degree, as well as a big time loser. Got news for you - it's not the Jews' fault.

You are proof positive of everything Liza said in her post. The JEws have been around as a religion, nation and People for 5000 years and intend staying, however small we are in numbers. So it looks like it is you who will have to continue to suffer our presence until your dying day. Choke on it.

If you follow the news, most of the violence and conflict in the world today either occur in the Muslim World or are caused, outside of the Muslim World, by Muslims. The logical conclusion is that there is something in Islam that preaches, supports, causes violence and conflict. There is much one can read on this subject, but I suggest, for the impatient, to watch "Fitna", available online at http://www.break.com/usercontent/2008/4/Fitna-New-English-Version-485249.html

Apparently this form of worship is practiced only on the Temple Mount. Once, during Second Temple times, the Jewish worshippers on the Temple Mount hurled their citrons at the reigning priest-king during the holiday of Sukkot.

of the hooligans arrested and persecuted. Arabs have no proble entering and desecrating synagogues without any reason. Israel should not let crime go unpunished otherwise they will never see the end of it.

Arabs not only fear and distrust outsiders but think they are not worthy human beings. They have contempt for them and it is of no moment to hurt or kill them to protect anything they value. Heck, they do that to each other. They have become extraordinarily dangerous people and unfortunately need to be treated that way. Were there a reliable way to distinguish between those that have these horrible traits and those that are peaceful, civilized, respectful or others and not dangerous, this evolution of the Arab masses would be far less disturbing and unfortunate than it is.

for a while yet we have to put up with the devil's children, the joo piggies like yourself...soon you be dead and the world will be a better place

and have been the problem all through history....its a crime family not religion or nation

Religion is not politics. The Tomb at Hebron is the burial place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah. Bethlehem is the tomb of the Matriarch Rachel. These,along with the Temple Mount, are the most significant Jewish religious heritage sites, and that has nothiong to do with Zionism or the modern State of israel. Muslim leaders have suggested that Jes never lived in Jerusalem and that Solomon built his Temple in Yemen. I suppose the same loony Leftists who believe that will also believe that Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel and Leah were all Muslims. We don't deny Muslims and Christians access to Jewish holy places, so what's their problem? We do, however, deny Jews access to the Temple Mount, unless they swear not to pray there, even silently. Can you imagine if we made such loony rules for Muslims?

Palestinians will never recognize present-day Israel if they don't recognize the ancient presence of Jews here. This is the core of the conflict, all else is is secondary. As long as the Temple Mount is considered by the world, and even by Reuters, the NYT, and obviously by Moslems as primarily Islamic, there will be no chance that Islam will recognize Israel's legitimacy. The NYT (via Rueters) writes of the "confrontation taking place at the sensitive holy site, Islam's holiest in Jerusalem, which is also revered by Jews as the site where two biblical temples stood." 'Also revered by Jews' says it all. Imagine if they wrote the truth - "the site of the holiest Jewish site, the Temple Mount, which Moslems conquered and turned into a mosque, forbidding Jews access". And they do not stress that the stones were thrown at visitors (of another faith)to the holy site. Moslem Arabs cannot be trusted as custodians of holy sites as long as they do not recognize the rights of others.

How quaint, the natives are ruthless again.....

And kick the bums out for disturbing the peace. Restrict admission to zero.

should have the mosque moved to mecca for full protection and full use of a muslim mosque in a muslim country. Israel isn't obliged to protect the mosque from itself and it's stone throwing stone aged loonies. They should be arrested for using their own 'religious' sites for places of terror. You can be certain any other nation in the world would, except Israel.

Please remember that for Christians, our most holy sites are also right there. East Jerusalem contains some of our most holiest. We too would like to be free to visit and worship in peace. The West Bank, the site of the Church of the Nativity, is being walled off and many of our Palestinian Christians who have been maintaining our most holy sites and churches are fleeing because of intolerable living conditions. This land is the holy land to Christians, Jews and Muslims and all three religions must be treated with respect and their holy sites respected.

was a very smart move by the PM. Shudder the thought we could never visit them from these stone hurling Muslims, whose tolerance to worshippers of other religions and their holy places may not remain unclear to anybody after this incident.

Four policemen wonded in their duty is a shame, put pressure, really pressure in this bandits.

Kudos, very nice I like such ideas.

As I recall, the last time they started throwing rocks, it was at a group of French Christian tourists, but Jennifer can keep her illusions. Dayan made a major error in allowing the Wafd to rule over the Temple Mount.

This isn't the first riot on the Haram-el-Sharif. It isn't the first time that Jewish extremists go in there to disturb the place to search for remnants of the temple. Clarification please!!!!!!

We can only judge by their actions. The visitors did not initiate the violence. The protesters were the ones who chose violence. It was wrong. No excuses.

Jews can't act like bare-faced European Christian knights. They have to do things more disccreetly. Ther was no valid reason for the 'right' to make a 'shrir'(muscle). It won't impress the international community Enough of this collective Jewish'autism' especially on the part of the 'right'. We have to interact with theinternational comunity and in a more discreet manner.

This is a topic too....see for example even the conservativ German daily FAZ

I think you are delusional the temple mount was holy to Jews long before Islam was even thought of.If you can prove that Islam predates Judaism i will eat my words ,if not put up and shut up.

You claim only those who wish to be provoked are provoked. If so, getting provoked when someone desecrates a Jewish cemetery or paints swatztikas on a synagogue is a sign that Jews want to be provoked, because otherwise you would get on with your business as usual.

Wasn't it Rabin who said that we should break their (Arab rioters) bones?

"Soon jewish people & what-so-called-israel will become one othe many minorities in Arab world. the peace will cover then the region." That's carrying Arab fantasy too far, chum. It won't happen, ever. Forget it.

Here it is---from the apologist supreme and bosom buddy of the far right. Title: Esther (#13), what is to be gained ... Name: Morris Valentine City: Los Angeles, Calif State: USA ... by re-opening this inquiry? Yes, even war supposedly has laws governing its conduct, to ameliorate its worst aspects. But the problem with this noble idea, is that war represents a breakdown of the laws which would normally govern relationships between nations. War is lawless. It`s vicious. It`s bloody. It`s the worst passions of Humanity coming to the fore. But sometimes, there is no other choice but war. The UN is ploughing old ground by re-addressing what was, at best, a controversial report (Goldstone) issued by controversial people, on the conduct of a war which inflamed those worst passions in both adversaries. The UN would better serve the interests of Israel and the Palestinians by enquiring on the conflict`s root causes. It may ask: Did Hamas violate Israel`s sovereignty through rocket attacks? Did Hamas endanger Israeli civilians? Did Israel repeatedly warn Hamas to cease doing so? How else should a sovereign nation respond to such repeated provocations?

"popular resistance" time and time again, and when police officers get hurt from stones the PA's leadership still consider this "non-violent" act. And these are the people who claim they want peace. I for one stopped believing to them!

This how the Arik Sharon intifada started

Israel has no especially persuasive or unique claim on this little plot of land. The Arabs, Romans and others had it for far longer than the Jews and when the Jews had it they often used it for irreligious purposes like worship of foreign gods bla bla bla. Seeing as Solomon himself gave full reign to his hundreds of foreign wives and their own gods and forms of worship and god supposedly granted Solomon license to build the temple then presumably god does not particularly care what is done or who is doing it there. Everyone should chill out some and allow the old city to become a jointly owned city-by Jew,Christian and Muslim, allowing for Hindu and Buddhist visitors along with any interested agnostics, like myself. That might restore some of religion's blighted reputation for encouraging idiocy and intolerance whilst denting the book sales of Richard Dawkins and turning Jerusalem into something more than a real estate dispute.

The irony in this story is this. International world history already knows what was built on that slab of land before Muslims "coincidentally" chose that exact particular spot of land to build their THIRD Holy sight. Because the 1st Holiest Islamic site, and a 2nd one on top of that surely not enough holy sights. Nevermind that nowhere in the Koran is there a mention of Jerusalem. No no no... In order to make sure people "MAY" eventually forget "WHO" built "WHAT" BEFORE any mosque was ever built, the Muslim conclusion is that a "third" holy sight is needed in order to justify some sort of right to the land. The irony is, while Muslims were obsessed in ERASING Jewish origins with a "3rd" shiny sparkly building, when the Jews re-claimed the territory, they could have easily destroyed this "excuse" for Muslim sovereignty in Jerusalem, but no, Jews never destroyed what was BUILT INTETIONALLY to cover up what was underneath it, because Jews have this whole thing called decency. Ironic

Soon jewish people & what-so-called-israel will become one othe many minorities in Arab world. the peace will cover then the region.

Islam "can" be peaceful, but it has an INHERENTLY dangerous self. Like Alcohol, which "can" be a great substance, but in itself it can pose a danger, if used too much. The connection to the article? In every sense!

israel is forcing our limits..be careful what you do.

Why Israel allows this place to be a war zone is beyond me. If the pals want to worship, can they do it w/out stone throwing? Perhaps this mosque should be moved to Mecca? No Jews there to worry about.

A couple of days ago, I wrote the proposition that there is a tunnel running from Iran under the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia, and ending in Jerusalem. I postulated that Iranian suicide bombers would bring purchased nuclear weapons into Jerusalem to annihilate the governance of Israel by destroying government offices and the civil service. I declared that the IDF should form a company to look for this tunnel in a number of places, and that one of them should be underneath Temple Mount because Arabs have been doing a lot of underground building works there blind to the Israeli authorities. Today, I read that the Israeli Police have entered the Temple Mount. I am postulating that the stone throwing by Muslims was a pretext stimulated in some way by the police to justify their entry. I hope that the Israeli Police search long and hard under Temple Mount and, indeed, widen their search to ensure, at the least, that there is no tunnel there, and that my proposition is wrong.

The impotent PA are just going back to the old tricks of civilian violence as a substitute for serious political discussions with Israel. The blatant lie about an alleged visit by Jews to the Temple Mount is one of the usual methods. There are plenty of un-employed young Arab men ready to throw stones etc. The unrestrained increase of population in the WB & Gaza regardless of economic means to feed and employ them gives a nice cadre of rioters to order.

Just wait until Israel puts the Temple Mount on the list of National Heritage sites. It will be as if Israel started a Holy war with Muslims all over the world.

The Temple Mount is Judaism's greatest National Heritage site. Dayan had no right handing the keys over to the Waqf. Jews do not claim sovereignty nor try to control Mecca and Medina. Rioting Arab lunatics have no business being in control of the Temple Mount. Take back the keys from the Waqf and return control of the Temple Mount to the rightful Jewish owners.

Why is this traitor MK still in the Knesset ?? In a "normal" country, he would be jailed for treason, surely impeached from the Knesset. Can you imagine Sen. McCain or Sen. Schumer protesting on behalf of Al-Qaeda in the US ? They would be ex-Sens. by sunset. Why does Israel tolerate this. He and Tibi are the rot from within, and should be removed AT ONCE.

Double fencing, 30 to 40 meters tall and electrified to cattle prod strength. Nobody will climb it and it's difficult to throw rocks anywhere over it. They can even install a metal detecting turn-style gate and screen their visitors. And it is in accord with the Israel Jordan Peace Treaty. maybe it will be ugly. So what, if it prevents riots.

post - the rioting rab youths CLAIMED that Jewsish hardliners (whoever thse may be) threatened to enter the site. Does that makee it so. In the past there have been stone throwing on Jewish worshippers praying ar the Wall down below with no provocation at all. The youths were troublemakers and knew what they were doing.

Only those who wish to be provoked are provoked - the rest of us get on with our business as usual. The fact that we non-Moslems breath is enough to provoke you Prophet - or so your people say. I am willing to bet your Prophet has more compassion than you give him credit for.

Its been long overdue that Israel finally take full authority of Temple Mount for safety sake and for peace sake. This is the Jews holiest site and it has been occupied by foreigners for way too long starting with the Romans, crusaders and now Arabs.

There should be no reaction, surprise at Israel making the Tombs of Hebron a permanent National Hertigage site. This would be like Jews being shocked at making Medina a Muslim heritage site although Medina was once a Jewish city.

shown love for the Arabs. Now its the Arabs turn.

All faiths have a strong element of intolerance for others. But the Islamic world is number one by far. This minor incident of stone- throwing at visitors is simply indicative of the general rule, one which applies most strongly at the Islamic holy places in Mecca and Medina. No non- Muslims allowed period. The Jews of Israel have the opposite problem. They were in 1967 so tolerant of Islamic religious principle that they forbid Jewish worship on the Mount. They did not as promised keep this Holy Place open to those of all faiths. The result is clear. Why should the Muslims be any less intolerant of Jewish worship on the Temple Mount than Jews are themselves? The Christians are probably the ones who received the stones. The Jews allow them to visit.

Why assume they were unprovoked? They article states that there were some settler hoodlums threatening to enter. Or do you like to pretend that Palestinians just throw rocks at people for no reason? There is zero history of this. There is A LOT of history of Palestinians throwing rocks at extremist intruders who come to destroy and occupy what is theirs. Pull your head out and do the simple calculations.

And then you say Israel is a democracy!! Well it is only democratic to Jews. The one thing Israel, America and Arab governments have in common is that they are all undemocratic and brutal to Arabians and Muslims.

Jennifer knows what she is talking about. They come to our holy site just to make fights! We will throw rocks or whatever else we have to make sure they know they aren't wanted!

Is that true, Leftists? There are places where the police are forbidden to enter?

in intent or wre they there to provoke Prophet?

...engulf the entire country and entire region. This is the face of Islamism. What is sadder is the fact that the leadership of the PLO's Palestinian Autonomy appears to be eager to see such fire, probably as a substitute for direct talks with Israel's leadership towards achieving an accommodation of peaceful coexistence between Arab and Jew, between Israel and its Muslim-Arab neighbors. P.S. I strongly suspect the reason for the refusal to sit down with Israel's leadership and talk is because finally, and rightly, Israel's government demanded of the Arabs of the Land to accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people and they, inherently, can bring themselves to state such acceptance because it contradicts their very thrust of "struggle", to eliminate Israel, either in one-fell-swoop or in stages.

Regardless of who the visitors were, why did the "peaceful" Palestinian protesters initiate the violence by throwing rocks at them?

is a national historic site for jews and muslims have no right to deny that fact. What they are always trying to do is rewrite history. 1.2 billion muslims world wide and 16 million jews and the muslins do not have the decency to allow the jewish people to have their holy sites, their holy land and worship in peace. Shame on them

Just who wre the non-Muslim visitors at whom the protestors wre throwing stones?