The Holy City of Jerusalem is tense again, thanks to the ensuing tension over religious sites. To add fuel to the simmering fire in Jerusalem has been Israel's decision of adding to its list of national heritage sites two shrines in the West Bank. The clashes have left many injured.
Tuesday saw Palestinians hurling stones at Israeli police in East Jerusalem. The Palestinians were protesting against Israel's sanctification of Hurva synagogue in Jerusalem. Even PLO Executive Committee Chairman Yasser Abed Rabo has warned Israel of bloodshed if it would take this step.
The protesters burned tires and hurled stones at the police, which used tear gas to disperse the mob, and arrested sevens persons in this regard. Shmuel Ben-Ruby, Jerusalem police spokesman, has defended firing tear gas at the mob, saying even village elders helped the police end protests at a different site.
Rebel Islamist group Hamas has declared Tuesday as a “day of rage” and pushed for anti-Israel demonstrations. Police are on high alert ever since they received this threat from Hamas, who, in a statement, have said: "We call on the Palestinian people to regard Tuesday as a day of rage against the occupation's [Israel's] procedures in Jerusalem against al-Aqsa mosque." Fatah leaders Mahmoud Dahlan and Hatem Abdelkader have urged the East Jerusalem residents and Israeli Arabs to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque situated on the Temple Mount.
Amid this furore, the dedication work at the synagogue was completed. After the dedication ceremony at the synagogue, Mayor Nir Barkat said: "I want to send a message of peace to all religions. I believe that precisely because we have twice experienced the pain of seeing our holy place destroyed, we, the sovereigns, know and will know to preserve and respect the places of worship of other faiths. We will remember to be sensitive to their fears and needs."
Sporadic violence has been reported from other places as well, as Palestinians protest against Israeli hostilities and inclusion of West Bank religious sites on its national heritage list. Palestinian youth started pelting stones at the Border Police troops from their side of Qalandiya crossing. There were stone pelting incidents in Silwan neighborhood.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-recorded video message was telecast again to assuage the Muslim world, saying, "I know many are moved by this moment, and rightly so. But we're not the only ones moved by our faith. We have enabled adherents of other religions to restore their places of worship as well. We proudly uphold our heritage, we have returned to our cities, and we also give the same freedom of worship to other religions. The people of Israel maintain their heritage and through that maintain the heritage of others."
