Israeli police clash with Palestinians at Jerusalem mosque on first day of Ramadan
Israeli cops clashed with Muslim worshipers at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem over the weekend, marking a violent start to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and heightening tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise to ease restrictions on Sunday’s expected mass gathering at one of Islam’s holiest sites, the police officers were caught on film barring scores of people from entering.
Footage from the Haaretz newspaper shows the moment the protesting crowd at the gate suddenly flees as Israeli officers charge in, swinging their batons and hitting several men as they cleared the entryway.
The Abraham Initiatives, a non-profit organization that works to unite Israels’ Jewish and Arab communities, slammed the cops in the footage and called on Netanyahu to ensure Muslims could pray at the site without harm.
“The footage of police officers beating worshipers with batons is shameful and intolerable,” the group told the local paper. “Netanyahu should maintain order and calm at Al-Aqsa Mosque and allow freedom of worship for Israel’s Muslim citizens.”
The Israeli police confirmed the clash in the video but said it was an isolated incident at one of the gates to the Al Aqsa mosque. Officials said thousands of people were allowed to enter the mosque for the first night of Ramadan without issue.
But the cops noted that they would be implementing additional security around the area as thousands more people are expected to make their way to the mosque for Ramadan. Officials did not say what enhanced security would be imposed at the site.
Israel has previously issued limits around visits to Al-Aqsa, typically banning young worshippers from the site that officials say curbs violent demonstrations.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called on the Jewish state to impose strict age and residency restrictions as he claimed Hamas supporters will likely use the prayer event during Ramadan to incite violence in Israel.
Last month, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians to march to the mosque during Ramadan in a show of support for the terror group.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement Monday that his nation was prepared to deal with threats during Ramadan.
“We say to anyone who thinks to test us, ‘We are ready, don’t make a mistake,’ ” he warned.
The clash in Jerusalem comes as Netanyahu appeared on “Fox & Friends” on Monday vowing that the war in Gaza will end with Hamas’ total defeat, despite US fears over the looming assault in the Palestinian strip’s southern city of Rafah, where about 1.4 million refugees are taking shelter.
The prime minister said Israel won’t “get off the gas” in its war effort but insisted that the Israel Defense Forces will continue to operate in a way that minimizes civilian casualties.
“No army has gone to the lengths Israel has to avoid civilian casualties,” Netanyahu claimed. “Israel is fighting this just war with the most unjust enemies, and people are protesting in the streets supporting these mass murders, these modern Nazis? it’s disgraceful.”
He also responded to President Biden’s hot-mic comment where he said he had a “come to Jesus” conversation with the Jewish leader.
“I’m not familiar with the term, even though Jesus wasn’t born that far from here,” Netanyahu said, adding that he’s had plenty of heart-to-heart chats with the president.
“I have appreciated the support that President Biden and the administration have given us since the start of the war, and I can only hope it will continue because victory is at hand,” he added.
“I think it will come sooner the more united we are, not divided,” he continued. “Or at least not given the appearance of division.”
With Post wires
