Palestinians clash with Israeli police in Jerusalem

Jerusalem: At least 31 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday, according to Palestinian doctors.

Four Palestinians were hospitalized, two critically, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance service.

Hundreds of protesters began tossing rocks and fireworks near the Western Wall, where Jews were praying.

In the aftermath of the morning prayers, police reportedly opened fire on a mob of 200 Palestinians, some of whom were throwing rocks. Witnesses stated police fired rubber bullets at a gathering of journalists covering the violence.

Increased violence at the site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary this week raises fears of a resumption of wider Israeli-Palestinian confrontation.

In all, Israel has killed 29 Palestinians in West Bank raids since March, the Palestinian health ministry says, while 14 Arabs have been killed in Israeli street attacks, police and doctors say.

This year’s tensions are heightened by the fact that Ramadan coincides with Passover, bringing more Muslim and Jewish visitors to the area.

Palestinians accuse Israel of not doing more to enforce a long-standing ban on Jewish worship at Islam’s third holiest site. Israel denies the charge.

As in recent years, Israel will ban Jewish visitors during the final days of Ramadan, starting Friday. In the closing days of the fasting month, Muslim attendance at the compound increases.

Atop the Old City plateau in East Jerusalem, Israel took it in a 1967 conflict and annexed it without international recognition. Palestinians desire East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state in the West Bank and Gaza.

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