Police deny reports that Arab man was seriously wounded during east Jerusalem riot
Bus driver hospitalized after rock attack outside Old City * Over 40,000 Muslims pray without incident on Temple Mount Friday following lifting of age restrictions
By DANIEL K. EISENBUDPolice gather in the capital’s Isawiya neighborhood to prevent riots in the flash-point area.(photo credit: SETH J. FRANTZMAN)
Police deny widespread reports in the Palestinian media that an Arab man was seriously wounded by officers during a Saturday night riot in Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives neighborhood of A-Tur. A police official said Sunday that the claims are unsubstantiated.Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said a riot involving dozens of masked Palestinians throwing rocks and firecrackers at police did take place, resulting in two arrests, but denied reports that there were any serious injuries.“We will investigate this, but I don’t think [the reports] are accurate,” said Samri on Sunday afternoon.According to multiple Arab news organizations, there were three injuries in the flashpoint neighborhood, including that of a man who allegedly sustained a life-threatening head wound when police attempted to disperse the mob. However, none of the capital’s hospitals confirmed a patient matching that description is being treated.The riot took place a day after police lifted the age restriction on the admission of young males to the Temple Mount on Friday and more than 40,000 Muslim worshipers of both genders prayed without incident.“For the first time in weeks there was no age limit and no disturbances took place there or in the Old City,” said spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, who added there was no confirmation of an Arab being seriously wounded in A-Tur Saturday night.Despite the temporary lull in violence at the contested holy site, Rosenfeld said an Egged bus was attacked by rocks Sunday near Damascus Gate, lightly wounding the driver who was transferred to an area hospital.
