Page 44 - 072817

Groton Daily Independent
Friday, July 28, 2017 ~ Vol. 25 - No. 028 ~ 44 of 54
The American Civil Liberties Union said its chances of getting a court to block Trump’s proposed ban might depend on the details of the plan.
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AP National Writer David Crary contributed to this report.
Clashes, tensions are at sacred site in Jerusalem By ILAN BEN ZION and MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press
JERUSALEM (AP) — Violence returned Thursday to a sacred site in Jerusalem as Palestinians gathering for prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound clashed with Israeli police nearly two weeks after a deadly attack there.
Earlier in the day, Palestinians had celebrated as Israel rolled back security measures and thousands of worshippers heeded a call by Muslim authorities to assemble for prayers at the mosque for the rst time in 11 days.
But as crowds pushed at one of the gates to the compound in the Old City, police red tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them, with dozens reported wounded.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered police reinforcements in Jerusalem following the latest unrest, and police were weighing limiting entry of younger men in anticipation of mass protests for Friday prayers — the highlight of the Muslim religious week.
Israeli troops in the West Bank were put on high alert and prepared for more violence Friday, a military of cial said.
Tensions have been running high at the site sacred to both Muslims and Jews since three Israeli Arab gunmen killed two police of cers on July 14, prompting Israel to install metal detectors and other security devices.
Israel said the measures were needed to prevent more attacks. Palestinians claimed Israel was trying to expand its control over the site, which Israel denied.
The security measures outraged Muslims and triggered protests, and low-level clashes have continued in and around Jerusalem since then, highlighting the deep distrust between Israel and the Palestinians over the holy site.
In protest, Palestinians have prayed in Jerusalem’s streets outside the shrine since the July 14 attack. Israel removed the devices Thursday and the crisis appeared to be easing as Muslim leaders told the faithful to return to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Droves of Palestinians entered for afternoon prayers. A handful scaled the roof the mosque and planted Palestinian ags above the entrance. Police later removed them.
Just before worship began, police shot tear gas and rubber bullets at the massing crowd. The Red Crescent said tensions rose as Israeli troops closed one of the gates to the compound as large numbers of worshippers tried to enter, and that 96 people were wounded in the melee. Police said of cers were struck by stones and responded with riot dispersal methods, and a spokesman said at least two of cers were wounded.
More clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces erupted after nightfall, with the Red Cres- cent saying at least eight people were hurt.
In addition, a 26-year-old Palestinian who was wounded earlier this week outside Jerusalem in a con- frontation with Israeli troops has died, said Dr. Ahmad Betawi, head of a West Bank hospital. At least four other Palestinians have died in the past week in violent clashes with Israeli security forces.
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas both issued calls earlier this week for mass protests on Friday.
The fate of the shrine is an emotional issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian con ict. Even the small- est perceived change to delicate arrangements pertaining to the site sparks tensions.
Jews revere the hilltop compound as the Temple Mount, site of the two Jewish biblical temples. It is the holiest site in Judaism and the nearby Western Wall, a remnant of one of the temples, is the holiest place where Jews can pray.