Police allows Jews to enter Temple Mount on Jerusalem Day, sparking riots

Palestinian worshippers hurl stones and chairs as non-Muslims are allowed to enter the compound on the last days of Ramadan for the first time in 30 years; Hamas warns of ‘consequences’ after Israeli security forces enter the holy site to restrain the rioters

Yishai Porat, Ilana Ushomirsky|Published:  06.02.19 , 10:50

Clashes broke out at the Temple Mount on Sunday between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli security forces after some 120 Jews had been allowed to enter the compound as part of Jerusalem Day celebrations. 

The rioters apparently began hurling stones and chairs in the direction of the security forces after the police allowed non-Muslims to enter the holy site in the last days of Ramadan for the first time in 30 years, to mark the unification of the capital in the Six Day War.

 

Following the eruption of the violence at the site, Jerusalem District Commander Maj. Gen. Doron Yadid ordered police officers to be deployed to the compound in order to deal with the disturbances, prompting the forces to use crowd dispersal measures.

 

Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said there “will be consequences” to what he labeled was an “attack on the worshippers of the Temple Mount by Israeli forces.”