Arab League condemns 'excessive violence' by Israel in Jerusalem

CAIRO: The Arab League condemned Israel’s use of “excessive violence” against Palestinians in clashes on Friday outside the highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site, the Temple Mount, while Egypt called on Israel to exercise reason.

Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit “condemned the Israeli security forces’ excessive use of force and live bullets against unarmed civilians,” said the Cairo-based organisation’s spokesman, Mahmoud Afifi.”

Current tensions open the door for further escalation in general amid growing Palestinian, Arab and Muslim anger over the violence and the new measures taken by the Israeli authorities,” he said.

Three Palestinians were killed during clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians around Jerusalem’s Old City and in the West Bank over new security measures at the site in the Holy City.

Read More: Arab League chief voices ‘deep concern’ at US travel ban

Egypt’s foreign ministry urged Israel to immediately stop the violence and to exercise “reason to prevent the situation from deteriorating into a dangerous and difficult quagmire”.

Friday’s unrest came after Israel decided not to order the removal of metal detectors erected at entrances to the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, following an attack a week ago that killed two policemen.

In anticipation of protests on Friday, Israeli police barred men under 50 from entering the Old City in annexed east Jerusalem for the weekly prayers on the Muslim day of rest.

The Palestinian Red Crescent announced that around 300 people were injured during the clashes across Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Police used riot dispersal equipment including rubber bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas to disperse protesters who hurled stones and bottles at officers during clashes. A police statement said “violent disturbances” occurred in the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Saladin, Ras al-Amud, A-Tur, and near the Rockefeller Museum.