Arabs hurl rocks at Jews near Lion's Gate
Arabs hurl rocks at Jews near Lion's GateIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Jerusalem Police Chief Aharon Franco let off steam Monday at “ungrateful” Arab Muslims, who he said responded to police preservation of the peace during last month's Ramadan prayers by throwing rocks at Jews praying in the Hebrew month of Tishrei.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

He made his remarks to the media the day after the Muslims hurled rocks at hareidi-religious Jews at the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Mount of Olives and at police.

Arab Knesset Member Ahmed Tibi demanded that “the villain” Franco resign for his remarks, which Tibi said were an attack on freedom of religion. “Even the Almighty would not impose sanctions like these,” Tibi charged. “Not every Jew is so smart.”

     

Warnings of trouble came as early as last week, when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu canceled a reception for his staff near the Western Wall after rumors spread among the Arab community that the event was part of an alleged plot to weaken the Al-Aqsa Mosque by tunneling underneath.

 

Muslims have circulated the charge repeatedly in the past several years, and it is widely believed throughout the Arab world. The latest incitement came from the Islamic Movement this week, with its leader Sheikh Raad Salah calling on Muslims to “defend” the Temple Mount in anticipation of tens of thousands of Jews attending the traditional Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall (Kotel). Muslims clerics told their followers that the Jews were planning to take over the holy site.

 

Police deployed thousands of officers Monday morning to protect more than 30,000 people, including tourists, during the ceremony. No riots were reported, but several Arabs were arrested in eastern Jerusalem for throwing rocks at Jews and police officers.

 

Police also took the precaution of preventing Jews from ascending the TempleMount, and restricted Arab entry into the TempleMount area to Arab men over the age of 50, women and children, all of whom were required to hold a blue Israeli identity card.

 

Sheikh Kamel Khatib, deputy leader of the Islamic Movement, told Voice of Israel government radio Monday morning that the Al-Aqsa mosque area includes the Western Wall, and is therefore Muslim property. On Sunday, police arrested Khatib, who is in charge of Jerusalem for the PA's ruling Fatah party, for suspicion of incitement to violence. He was released after promising not to come to Jerusalem for 15 days and posting a bond.