BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday called for “restraint and responsibility” to diffuse tensions in Jerusalem and pledged to preserve the status quo at the Temple Mount.

The last few months have seen regular clashes taking place in Arab neighbourhoods of Jerusalem between local youths and Israeli forces. Last month, two people including a three-month-old baby were killed when a local Palestinian driver rammed his car into a crowd of commuters. Tensions increased further last week after the attempted assassination of Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a well-known campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount. The assailant, an Islamic Jihad member, was killed hours later following a shoot-out with Israeli counter-terrorism officers. Netanyahu yesterday condemned a condolence letter sent by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to the family of the assailant, who Abbas termed a “martyr.”

Last week, Abbas accused Israel of a “declaration of war” after police temporarily closed the Temple Mount to both Jewish and Muslim worshippers for the first time since 2000, in order to reduce the threat of unrest following Glick’s shooting.

Speaking at the start of yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said, “What is necessary now is to calm the situation and to act with responsibility and restraint.” He criticised Islamists who “would like to set a religious fire in Jerusalem,” most notably at the Temple Mount. He said that although the site has since Biblical times been “the holiest site for our people,” he also termed it “the most sensitive kilometre on earth.” As a result, “We are committed to the status quo for Jews, Muslims and Christians.” Jews are only permitted to visit the site in small numbers and are banned from praying there for fear it would provoke a violent response. A visit to the Temple Mount by controversial Likud MK Moshe Feiglin yesterday passed without incident. Also yesterday, the cabinet gave initial approval to legislation which will toughen sentences for stone throwing.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, an explosive device was hurled at Israeli police in Shuafat, who also came under attack in Wadi Joz. Meanwhile, a local Palestinian attacked a Jewish Israeli near the Old City.