Arabs attack tourist bus, police station in Jerusalem

Arabs attack tourist bus, police station in Jerusalem

The violence came a day after police stormed the disputed compound in the Old City, using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse Muslim worshippers, who rioted after Friday prayers. Protests against the construction have spread throughout the Muslim world, where demonstrators have accused Israel of plotting to harm Islamic shrines.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter (Kadima) said Saturday that "Israel will foil any attempt on the part of Muslims to convince the world that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is in danger."

In an Interview to Israel Radio, Dichter said that the construction and excavation is going on "outside of the Temple Mount compound, and whoever doesn't understand this must prove their argument."

According to Dichter, police forces stormed the Temple Mount compound in order to prevent demonstrators from hurling rocks and the Wailing Wall.

Malaysia: Work near Al-Aqsa Mosque is 'act of provocation'

Malaysia, chair of the world's largest Islamic grouping, condemned Israel on Saturday over its construction work at the Temple Mount saying it would hurt peace efforts.

A statement from Malaysia's foreign ministry accused Israel of willfully destroying religious, cultural and heritage sites in the occupied territories, and of direct aggression toward the mosque.

"We denounce this blatant act of provocation and the complete disregard for the sanctity of the holy mosque? this act will ignite the feelings of Muslims all over the world and is in fact a retrogressive step in the efforts to achieve peace in the region " it said.

Malaysia, as chairman of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference, urged the world community to intervene immediately to stop the illegal activities which violate international laws, the ministry added.

Muslims protesting Israeli construction and excavation work near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, agreed Friday to leave the mosque compound peacefully, after clashes with police.

Excavations near the Temple Mount's Mugrabi Gate were approved two weeks ago as a necessary precursor to replacing a ramp that provides access to the gate. The ramp collapsed three years ago, and was replaced by a temporary wooden structure. Plans have since been approved for a permanent replacement, and by law, any construction work in the Old City must be preceded by a salvage dig.

The dig is taking place in the Jewish Quarter, outside the Temple Mount, but the Islamic Movement in Israel has accused it of being meant to undermine the Temple Mount. Protests have also taken place across the Muslim world.

On Friday, some 200 police officers entered the area of the mosque and used stun grenades to disperse Muslim protesters, as hundreds of demonstrators threw stones at security forces.

A number of protesters were holed up inside the mosque compound, but agreed to leave peacefully following mediation by MK Talab al-Sana (United Arab List). Al-Sana persuaded the protesters to leave the compound without throwing rocks or causing any provocation. Police had said they would use force to disperse the demonstrators if they resumed their violent protests.

Police are investigating the possibility that the protesters had been hiding in the Temple Mount compound over the last few days to circumvent Israel's decision to ban Muslims below the age of 45 years from Friday prayers, due to a fear of disturbances.

The security forces said they regained control of the Temple Mount area a short time after disturbances began. Police blocked all exits and cut off loudspeakers that they said were being used to incite the protests.

At least 15 police officers in the area were lightly hurt in the clashes, six of whom were evacuated to receive further medical attention. Police arrested 17 protesters.

There were no specific reports of injuries among the protesters but some of them also appeared to be wounded.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the police action was an effort to quell the violence. The Western Wall plaza, below the Temple Mount, was evacuated after the stone-throwing began in an effort to prevent injuries, Israel Radio reported.

Protests in Nazareth

Also Friday, more than 10,000 protesters marched down Nazareth's main street in a protest against the renovation work.

The protestors carried posters depicting the Al-Aqsa Mosque and called for the Arab and Muslim world to respond to the "Jewish assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Leader of the Islamic Movement's Northern Branch, Sheikh Ra'ad Salah, addressed the gatherers and commented on an event that took place earlier in the week in which he was filmed spitting at a police officer outside the Temple Mount. The Muslim cleric said his action was aimed at the "establishment," not against any particular police officer.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided Thursday that the renovations would continue despite the demonstrations and the fear of violent confrontations.