Far-right Israeli lawmaker visit triggers unrest in Jerusalem

A far-right Israeli MP, along with dozens of ultra-nationalist supporters, entered the most sensitive holy site in Jerusalem on Sunday, prompting a crowd of Palestinians to start throwing stones and fireworks at nearby Israeli police.

The riots erupted ahead of a mass ultra-nationalist Israeli march scheduled for next Sunday in the heart of the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. About 3,000 Israeli policemen were deployed throughout the city before the march.

Israel says the march is intended to celebrate Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem, including the Old City, in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital. But the Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as their capital, see the march as a provocation. Last year, the parade helped spark an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza militants.

The riots on Sunday took place in a disputed hillside complex revered by Jews and Muslims. The complex houses the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. It is also the holiest place for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount and venerate it as the home of the biblical Temples. Competing claims on the site are at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and have triggered numerous rounds of violence.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of a small ultranationalist opposition party in the party and a follower of the late racist rabbi, Meir Kahane, entered the complex early Sunday along with dozens of supporters.
The Palestinians shouted “God is great” while Ben-Gvir, accompanied by the Israeli police, shouted, “the Jewish people live”. Later, a crowd of Palestinians barricaded inside the mosque threw fireworks and stones at the police, who did not respond immediately.

Sunday’s march comes at a time of heightened tensions. In recent months, Israeli police have repeatedly confronted Palestinian protesters who threw stones at the disputed complex, often firing rubber bullets and stun grenades.

At the same time, some 19 Israelis have been killed by Palestinian aggressors in Israel and the West Bank in recent weeks, while over 35 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank. Many of the dead were Palestinian militants, but several civilians were among the dead, including Shireen Abu Akleh, a well-known correspondent for the Al Jazeera satellite channel.

Jerusalem police have been widely criticized for beating mourners at Abu Akleh’s funeral two weeks ago.
Under longstanding agreements known as the “status quo”, Jewish pilgrims can enter the hilltop compound but cannot pray. In recent years, however, the number of Jewish visitors has grown significantly, including some who have been spotted praying in silence.

Such scenes have sparked Palestinian fears that Israel is plotting to conquer or divide the area. Israel denies such claims, saying it remains true to the status quo.