Arab world condemns Israel Police for violent Temple Mount clashes

Arab bodies throughout the Middle East widely condemned Israeli police violence during clashes with worshipers at the al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday. The Islamic Movement in Israel condemned the actions of Israel Police and demanded that they immediately retreat their forces from the Temple Mount region after violent clashes between police and worshippers at the Aqsa Mosque led to the injury of 17 police officers and 205 Palestinian demonstrators during the final Friday prayers of Ramadan.

The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, an extra-parliamentary organization that represents Arab-Israeli citizens, called for protests in all Arab cities tomorrow against the “terror of the occupation in Jerusalem.”

The secretary general of Islamic Jihad said Friday that “it is impossible to tolerate what is happening in Jerusalem, and the enemy must expect our response at any moment.”

Hamas also put out a statement Friday warning Israel about potential repercussions of the clashes at the Temple Mount.

The terrorist group’s leader Ismail Haniyeh sent a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling him “not to play with fire. This is a struggle that you, your army, your police and your whole country cannot win. We will defend Jerusalem no matter what sacrifices we must make,” Ynet reported.

Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas said that he called on the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations to demand the UN Security Council convene to discuss the situation in Jerusalem, including these clashes and those in Sheikh Jarrah, Walla reported.

Jordan’s foreign ministry condemned the entrance of Israeli forces to the Temple Mount, and their “animalistic attack” of worshipers there.

Qatar also denounced the entrance of Israeli security forces in wake of the clashes, calling it “provocation for millions of Muslims around the world,” Ynet reported. The Gulf state went on to call for the international community to act to stop Israeli harming of the Palestinian people.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also condemned the violence in Jerusalem and said that “Israel must stop all measures that harm the sanctity of the al-Aqsa Mosque.” 

It added that “building new settlements or expanding existing ones, expropriating land or deporting Palestinians – this is a violation of international law and reduces the chance of reaching a two-state solution.”

Turkey criticized Israel and accused it of unleashing “terror” on Palestinians after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinian youth at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque late on Friday.

The clashes at Islam’s third holiest site and around East Jerusalem, which injured 205 Palestinians and 17 police officers, came amid mounting anger over the potential eviction of Palestinians from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers.

As the clashes flared, several Turkish officials criticized Israel and called for other countries to voice condemnation, while a Foreign Ministry statement urged Israel to “immediately end its provocative and hostile stance and act with reason.”

“Shame on Israel and those who keep silent in the face of disgraceful attacks,” Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter late on Friday.

“We call on everyone to stand up against the policies of occupation and aggression of this apartheid state,” he said.

Turkey’s communications director Fahrettin Altun told state television Israel was violating human rights and would “pay the price,” as opposition parties echoed the government condemnation in a rare sign of unity.

“Attacking innocent people praying is clearly terror,” Altun said. “We see that these attacks on Palestinians are against the most fundamental human rights.”