Palestinians burn Israeli flag near Temple Mount
Dozens of rioters clash with police at Lions' Gate, attempt to torch door of abandoned police post.
Dozens of Palestinians, some masked, attempted to torch the entrance to the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City near the Temple Mount on Wednesday night. The rioters also burned an Israeli flag, and threw stones and firecrackers at police forces.
In images and video posted on social media, the rioters are seen burning the Israeli flag, stepping on it and shouting "A million Shahids (martyrs) march to Al-Aqsa."
The clashes started after several dozens of Arab youths arrived overnight to the Lions' Gate on Temple Mount and asked to carry the body of Jihad al-Tawil, a Palestinian from East Jerusalem who died in the Soroka Medical Center two days ago. Tawil was serving three months in prison for traffic violations at Dekel Prison in Beersheba. Tawil, who was diagnosed with cancer, was hospitalized two weeks ago after having a heart attack.
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The police force that secures the Temple Mount prevented the rioters from entering the area and as a result, the clashes broke out.
The rioters returned to the Lions' Gate, where they found an abandoned police post and tried to set the door to the post ablaze. There, they also burned the Israeli flag.
The Arab youth threw stones and firecrackers at police who responded with crowd dispersal means. The youths fled towards Ras al-Amud.
Jerusalem police said no one was hurt in the clashes and no suspects were arrested.
The Temple Mount is regularly guarded by police and security forces and is opened for worshippers from the morning hours until 10 pm.
