Clashes erupt on the Temple Mount ahead of Jewish New Year
No serious injuries were reported and the compound was opened to visitors after the violence subsided.
By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERSUpdated: FEBRUARY 6, 2020 15:45Security forces break barricade into al-Aksa Mosque
Israeli police raided the plaza outside Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque on Sunday in what they said was a bid to head off Palestinian attempts to disrupt visits by Jews and foreign tourists on the eve of the Jewish New Year.The Palestinian youths, Israeli police said in a statement, had intended "to disrupt the routine of visits to the Temple Mount on the eve of Rosh Hashana", the Jewish New Year, which begins at sunset on Sunday.Police used tear gas and threw stun grenades towards the Palestinian youths, who barricaded themselves inside the mosque and hurled rocks and flares, a Reuters witness said."A police force ... surprised the barricaded youngsters and entered the Temple Mount area" so that the visits could get under way, the statement added.Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan praised the Israeli Security Forces actions and restoration of order to the Temple Mount."Having prepared in advance, knowing that this was the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Temple Mount is now open to anyone who wishes to visit," Erdan said.The minister went on to say that the current arrangements concerning the Temple Mount would need to be rethought."This holy place cannot be a battle-zone for entrenched Muslim rioters to throw stones and fireworks at security forces. This is the most serious and flagrant violation of the status quo yet, it will not go over in silence." he added. No serious injuries were reported and the compound was opened to visitors after the violence subsided, police said.