Friday prayers end relatively peacefully
About 6,000 worshippers arrive at Temple Mount for Friday prayers; some 15 muslims arrested. Sheikh Raed Salah stays away from Mount, bus accuses Israeli establishment of committing a crime in al-Aqsa
About 6,000 Muslim worshippers arrived at the Temple Mount at noon Friday, as police forces deployed by the thousands in Jerusalem due to fears that last week's riots would repeat themselves. The prayers were held with almost no disturbances.
Tension surrounding the construction work at the Mugrabi Gate has not decreased, despite Turkey's offer Thursday to send inspectors to monitor the project.
Jerusalem District Commander Ilan Franco said at the end of the Friday prayers that "this week there was a decrease in protests against the works at Mugrabi hill. Even the prayer, where there were some 6,000 Muslims, ended without any unusual incidents."
Franco also said that "the police holds about 15 to 20 detainees," and added that a further consultation would take place over the weekend. "Our aim is to get the Temple Mount back to normal," he said.
An east Jerusalem resident who attacked police officers in the area was arrested in the late morning hours. In another incident, two young east Jerusalem residents were detained after trying to forcefully enter the Temple Mount and attacking police officers.
There were no injuries in both incidents and the three detainees were taken in for questioning.
Another young east Jerusalem resident was arrested near the Lion's Gate after attempting to forcefully enter the Temple Mount and attacked police officers, according to the police. One more resident was detained near another gate.
Police Commissioner Karadi and Commander Franco (Photo: Haim Zach)
As the prayers ended, a number of youths began hurling stones at a police force. Five of them, east Jerusalem residents, were arrested.
'Israeli history contaminated with our blood'
Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement's northern branch, arrived at the Wadi Joz neighborhood, but did not enter the Old City due to a restraining order.
"The Israeli history is contaminated with blood. They want to build their temple while our blood is on their clothes, on their doors, in their food and drinks. Our blood goes from one terrorist general to another terrorist general," he said.
He called on the Turkish delegation slated to inspect the Temple Mount works to "freely examine what is taking place in al-Aqsa."
He expressed his hopes that the delegation would not listen to the demands of "the Israeli side" and would check "above and below the ground."
He added, "The Israeli establishment is putting al-Aqsa in risk, and this is a crime. They are trying to destroy all Islamic archaeology. From this holy place I call on the world to express its opinion regarding these crimes and ask the Arab world to insist on the truth and save al-Aqsa.
"Our public struggle is aimed at conveying messages to the Islamic and Arab world. I hope the Islamic and Arab world wakes up and prevents Israel's crimes."
Sheikh Salah said that "the Israeli security forces are the ones looking for the violence and clashes, and it seems that it is difficult for them to live without these clashes. That is why they prepared horses, police officers and weapons. We know that our road is long and that are efforts may continue for long. We have succeeded in the battle so far."
Asked whether he plans to enter the Temple Mount, Salah added that "the moment I wish to go in, I'll go in. I will decide when and how to arrive at the al-Aqsa Mosque."
Lilach Shoval contributed to the report
