Clashes Erupt At Jerusalem Holy Site

Outrage Over Contentious Israeli Renovation Work Near Al-Aqsa Mosque

(CBS/AP)  Hundreds of angry worshippers threw stones at police and scuffled with them on Friday in an eruption of outrage over contentious Israeli renovation work at a disputed holy site in Jerusalem's Old City.

CBS News correspondent Robert Berger reports police threw stun grenades as a few dozen protesters barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa mosque.

About 200 police streamed on to the hilltop compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, to try to quell the violence, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

Several dozen protesters barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa mosque at the compound, which is Islam's third-holiest site.

Live video from the area showed stun grenades landing amid gathered protesters, who scattered as the police moved onto the scene.

It was not immediately clear whether Israeli forces had entered the mosque, a move which would ignite furor across the Muslim world.

Several injured people were seen being taken from the scene on stretchers.

Israeli security forces had tripled their usual numbers around Jerusalem's Old City Friday morning as the city braced for possible riots during Muslim prayers at the Holy Land's most contentious religious site.

Jerusalem police chief Ilan Franco told Israel Radio that around 3,000 security officers were posted around the city because of "intelligence indications" that disturbances could erupt over Israeli repair work on an earthen ramp leading to the hilltop compound.

Israeli authorities promised that the plan to replace a centuries-old ramp damaged in a 2004 snowstorm would not damage the compound, about 60 yards way. But when work began earlier this week, it drew fierce protests in the Arab world, where many leaders accused Israel of plotting to harm Muslim holy sites.

Friday prayers at the site, attended by thousands of Muslims every week, often have been a flashpoint for clashes.

Around 50 Palestinians protesting the work scuffled with police in east Jerusalem ahead of the prayers Friday, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. In the West Bank town of Hebron, teenagers threw stones at soldiers, who responded with tear gas. There were no injuries in either incident.

On Thursday, a fiery Islamic leader appealed to fellow Israeli Arabs and Muslims around the world to rise up against the Israeli renovations.

"The aggression happening now is a tragedy, a crime," Raed Salah, a leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel, told The Associated Press. He accused Israel of declaring "a regional, religious war."

Israeli officials have said Muslim radicals are using the renovation work as a pretext to stoke anger against Israel. Speaking during a visit to Spain Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni accused "political extremists" of trying to "exploit this situation."

On Friday, though, a prominent Israeli archeologist weighed in against the project.

Meir Ben-Dov, who has led excavations near the Temple Mount, said the existing ramp should be renovated rather than replaced. The government, he added, lacked the proper construction permits.

"There is no reason to take any action there," Ben-Dov told Israel Radio.

An Israeli government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the construction project, rejected Ben-Dov's claim, saying "all legal issues are being addressed." The new ramp was needed because the old one is unsafe, the official said.

The compound, home to the golden-capped Dome of the Rock shrine and Al Aqsa mosque, is the third-holiest site for Muslims, who believe that it is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. For Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, it is also a focal point of national pride.

The compound is sacred to Jews as the site of their biblical temples.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said entrance to the Friday prayers would be restricted. West Bank Palestinians would be barred, as would Israeli Arab and east Jerusalem men under 45, he said.

Israel has controlled the compound since the 1967 Mideast War, but has left the administration of its Muslim holy sites largely to the Palestinians and Jordan.

In another major development, Palestinian factions have agreed to a national unity government in which the ruling Islamic militant group Hamas and rival Fatah faction will share power, Berger reports.

Israel has given a cool reaction to the Palestinian agreement, however, saying it must meet three international conditions: recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and accepting previous peace agreements.

Berger says the new government falls short of that — it says it will "respect" previous peace agreements but there is no mention of recognizing Israel or renouncing violence.

[lars008-2009]

ISLAM EMPTIES BETHLEHEM OF CHRISTIANS
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printab
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36406

'Greedy monsters' ruled church
SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
BETHLEHEM, West Bank %u2014 The Palestinian gunmen holed up in the Church of the Nativity and later deported by Israel seized church stockpiles of food and "ate like greedy monsters" until the food ran out, while more than 150 civilians went hungry.
They also guzzled beer, wine and Johnnie Walker scotch that they found in priests' quarters, undeterred by the Islamic ban on drinking alcohol.
Angry Orthodox priests yesterday showed two reporters about 20 empty bottles of whiskey, champagne, vodka, cognac and French wine on a kitchen shelf and on the floor of two rooms.
"They should be ashamed of themselves. They acted like animals, like greedy monsters. Come, I will show you more," said one priest, who declined to give his name.
"Palestinians took candelabra, icons and anything that looked like gold," said a Franciscan, the Rev. Nicholas Marquez from Mexico.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20020515-89391238.htm

[feelfree1]

bluestardad,

"The middle east is not in Americas interest! Pull out 50 years of investment in blood, money, and effort has proven no results!"

Good points, and thanks for the information on the AIPAC.

[mitdgreenb]

And in terms of aid... your contribution to Israel was roughly $15. In return for your $15, you got the chip in the PC in front of you (if it's a new PC), technology in your Cell phone, produce, and more. You got a trading PARTNER.

Your contribution to Egypt was $12. For your $12, you got a mediator in the Middle East. I think you'll agree that that was worth it.

Your contribution to Native Americans was a lot less (unless you frequent casinos).

And your contribution to Arab states (through the purchase of gasoline and heating oil) was a lot more. In return for your gas money, you sponsored suicide bombers. Well done.

[bluestardad]

Hey Congress, We know you cannot protect innocent high school pages in the Halls of Congress nor put Pedophiles in Jail like Mark Foley, how about thieves of billions of dollars, and Liars that cause the deaths and Maiming of Thousands of American Soldiers and sends our country to a war on a lie? The Middle East is not in American Interest, we have invested 50 years of blood, and money is enough is enough! Did the Israeli or Saudi Arabian Neocons slip you some money how about thirty pieces of silver for your vote or compliancy in this war?
Write your congressman and let them know how you feel! firststatehttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[mitdgreenb]

To the contrary, I am not trying to justify one set of violence with another. I am trying to give people -- people who have clearly not traveled much -- some perspective. The rest of the world views time a bit differently from Americans: the entire European invasion of the Americas over the last 500 years represents just 1/10 of history in the Middle East and Asia. So most of the rest of the world sees things that Americans did "a long time ago" from our perspective as having happened a much shorter time ago from their perspective. When Americans say things like Apartheid are bad, others say America had Apartheid until 50 years ago... which to them is as 5 years of our history. Get it? Just take a minute to think about how hyporitical and arrogant we look to people who were building great cities like Alexandria and Jerusalem and Beijing when (most) of our ancesters were busy living in caves and deforesting Europe. For instance, Americans who argue that Israel is "occupying" land it won (in a war that was not started by them)... should remember that places like California and Texas were annexed in the not too distant past. Americans who argue that Israel has misappropriated "native" Palestinian land... should remember that places like South Dakota and Oklahoma were given to the Indians "as long as the Sun rises in the East." I am not arguing right and wrong... I am simply arguing against hypocracy.

[bluestardad]

The middle east is not in Americas interest! Pull out 50 years of investment in blood, money, and effort has proven no results!

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC's original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors (unfounded as it turned out) that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]." [SPIEGEL, p. 52].[citation needed] Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and achieving peace".[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel. The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."

[feelfree1]

MITDGreenb,

Re: "FeelFree -- I believe there are some Sioux or Mohegans or Seminoles who see you as the occupier. When will you stop provoking them?"

What a shameful testimony it is, that the best defense that the miserable Israelis can offer is to point to the misdeeds of others, as if that might provide some justitfication for their many horrific crimes and atrocities. It does not.

If there is one issue that most Americans appear to be united on, it is that the billions upon billions of dollars of U.S. tax dollar funded welfare payments to the Israeli state, is an extremely poor investment, and should stop immediately.

Most of the people on this earth will celebrate mightily, when the Israeli terror-State finally collapses. Israel is the perfect example of the disasterous consequences of constructing a State based on religion.

[mitdgreenb]

FeelFree -- I believe there are some Sioux or Mohegans or Seminoles who see you as the occupier. When will you stop provoking them?

[mitdgreenb]

Sharn -- Only you and Mel Gibson seem to hold to the belief that the Jews killed Jesus, in contradiction to the New Testament that you cite, the Catholic Church, and just about every other sane person. And how is it that, although Christians hold both Testaments as holy, you somehow have divined that one has been altered?

And Jews don't deny that Jesus existed. They deny only that Jesus was any more than an outstanding Jewish rabbi... a great teacher with Jewish disciples in a troubled time. You take it on faith, literally, that he was more and criticize those who disagree with your interpretation. Shame on you.

And you mention Wiccans, victims of a prolonged propaganda campaign by Christians. Goebels was right: if you say something loud enough and often enough, the weak-minded [like you] will come to believe it's the truth. I don't believe in an animist religion... but I don't think people who do are heathens... or somehow more legitimate than Jews (as you imply) or less legitimate than Christians.

Rick -- I forgot about killing witches. Christians did that too, but I am sure this counted as "lovingly and gently" advising them of their sins. Somehow the visions that those hanged (not burned) in Salem saw were heresy, while the visions John saw were Gospel. Not sure how that works without hypocracy. Oh wait, that was a LONG time ago and Christians are much more enlightened now. Like your friend Sharn.

[feelfree1]

Once again, the Israeli terror-State tries to provoke a fight with the victims of their occupation.

What a disgusting country.

[sharncedar]

grazinggoat -

re "Saddam Hussein converted to chritianity"

Actually, the Koran acknowledges Christ as a great prophet, whose teachings are true. So technically, S. Hussein if he was a good Muslim did believe in Christ to some degree, and it is perfectly OK for him to recite the Christian scriptures.

It is the Jewish religion that denies Christ existed, or calls him a liar. No other religion dares such things; heck I suppose even Wiccans acknowledge Christ just don't agree or follow the specifics.

[sharncedar]

"24 " 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land."

The point in question is whether the prophecies concerning Abraham's destiny were fufilled by Christ or by the other Jews, all of them Abraham's descendents. The Israeli sin of course, the thing they couldn't stand about Christ, was precisely Zionism, which was an evil and unfounded belief that they themselves were the object of God's special relationship, rather than Christ. The same sin as Joseph's brothers, who couldn't stand his primacy, and so tried to kill him. Thus the Jewish priests twisted and edited many passages in the "Old Testament" to create a foundation for their sinful anti-religion which is Zionism, the religion that celebrates the Jews instead of Christ. They are usurpers, replacing a King.

The whole book of "Esther" is an example of the inserted propaganda unrelated to God.

If you consider that Christ fufils the biblical prophecies, then it is nonsense to consider the un-chosen people, those Jews who did not fufil the prophecy, as having any special significance. Any of Abraham's inheritance you give to the Jews, you take from Christ, as they killed him for this very reason, to steal his inheritance.

[grazinggoat]

Breaking News, Breaking News.

Saddam Hussein converted to chritianity in a last minute attempt to redeem his soul. On his way to the isolated execution room, he pronounced some words and recited a small chapter from the Bible, a book he asked for during his detention in the military fortification in teh Green Zone in Bagdad.


What if that were true? Would you guys have created a new account for him with God???
Would you have erased his debt to Humanity? Would you have accepted him as a Christian leading a crusade on Shia Muslims? And killing them by the hundreds, just because they were not fitting in the new world he was envisioning?

[mitdgreenb]

Ah, OK. So as long as you are lovingly and respectfully stating the fact that a brother Christian has sinned, it's not judging. Gotcha.

But the brother Christian is still a Christian is he not, as long as he has a personal relationship with Jesus (which you are not allowed to judge the quality of)? He'll have to pay for his sins at the Rapture or in the afterlife or whatever, but he's still a Christian. So your brothers who committed all of those atrocities are still Christian. So how can you base any argument on Christian aspirational texts (the New Testament) without judging hypocticially due to the actions of your Christian brethren? You can't say "They're not Christians" and you can't bear to admit that they are. hmmmm...

[mitdgreenb]

Rick --

OK -- so your personal relationship is what makes you a Christian and you're a good Christian I take it. Hmmm...

Your Jesus said not to judge others. ("Let he who is without sin...") That's certainly a part of your personal relationship.

You are saying others (like anyone who committed an atrocity in the name of Jesus) was not a true Christian.

So I am left wondering -- are you judging others (violating your personal relationship and therefore making yourself not Christian) or not (acknowledging that their personal relationship with Jesus makes them as much a Christian as you are, even while they committed atrocities)?

Paraphrasing a favorite book...
"Oh my," says Rick, "I had not thought of that." and promptly disappears in a puff of logic.

Faith kills. Absolute faith kills absolutely. And Blind Faith was a great band.

[patriotic9]

singinrick
"Israel is in America's interests".
What do you call American's interest.What America's interest is surved by Israel.Do we get Oil in cheaper prices from Arabs or the European invaders in Palestine?Don't you know that the illegitimate and unjustified existance of Israel on the world map is the main cause of HATRED,TERRORISM and 9/11 against our nation.It's not difficult to make any claim even by a mentally retarded individual.If you claim that Israel is in America's interest,prove it with valid and sound reasons and show some sign of sanity.
You also claim that you have JESUS CHRIST in your life.How is it possible that you have Jesus in your life and you consider supporting those as America's interests who deny JESUS as a MESSIAH and SON OF GOD and deny his mother's virginity and accuse her of comiting fornication.
You always prove my point that CHRISTIANITY IS PSYCHOSIS and CHRISTIANS are PSYCHOTICS.

[bluestardad]

America first all others a distant second!

[bluestardad]

No Israel is not in American Interest if it causes us to go to war for its reasons and not our own!

[bluestardad]

Hey Congress, We know you cannot protect innocent high school pages in the Halls of Congress nor put Pedophiles in Jail like Mark Foley, how about thieves of billions of dollars, and Liars that cause the deaths and Maiming of Thousands of American Soldiers and sends our country to a war on a lie? The Middle East is not in American Interest, we have invested 50 years of blood, and money is enough is enough! Did the Neocons slip you some money how about thirty pieces of silver for your vote or compliancy in this war?
firststatehttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[mitdgreenb]

Rick -- You're correct that your particular sect of Christianity may not have been involved in the incidents I cited. How convenient for you to be able to say that THOSE Christians were not REALLY Christians even though the atrocities they practiced were done in the name of YOUR Jesus. How about the Lutheran ministers who stood to the side while the Nazi's killed millions (including Romani, many of whom are Christian)? I guess they were not YOUR faith either. (And that ain't Middle Ages.) Or are you Orthodox? Have I got a 20th Century pogrom for you!! Nope, not THOSE Christians either? OK, perhaps you're Southern. How about those white-hooded Christians who burn... help me now... CROSSES and are known to have attacked "Black" Churches? I know they are not real Christians either... but I wonder if one is sitting next to you in YOUR church.

How marvelous that you seem to be the one true Christian with the one true interpretation of the same writings that others have so misinterpreted! Thank you for sharing your blind faith with us. I feel so enlightened by your presence.

You really need to travel more... to places where Christianity (of whatever sect) is not the overwhelming majority religion... to understand what a fool you look.

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." -- Mahatma Ghandi