Israeli authorities have banned non-Muslims from entering a contentious Jerusalem holy site, following a series of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police. The decision comes during the holy month of Ramadan and will be applied until the end of June, but will remain open for Muslim prayer.
Masked Palestinians rest in wheelchairs before clashes with Israeli police erupted for the third consecutive day at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compoundAmmar Awad/Reuters
Dressed in pieces of cloth and covering their feet with plastic bags, the protesters have been storming the holy site, pelting it with rocks, unable to be identified. The clashes, which have lasted for three days have seen masked Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police officers, with some 16 suspects being subsequently detained.
A masked Palestinian protester wearing a plastic bag around his body, looks on during clashes with the Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa mosque, Jerusalem's Old CityAhmad Gharbali/ AFPIsraeli police take cover as Palestinian protesters throw stones at them at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosqueAhmad Gharbali/ AFPMasked Palestinians hold stones during clashes with Israeli policeAmmar Awad/ Reuters
On 27 June, the second day of the protests, police managed to lock the demonstrators inside the mosque, before the opening the site once more. According to the Associated Press, the protesters managed to attack the police later in the day. Police officers responded with "riot-dispersal means" police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Masked Palestinians read the Koran before clashes with Israeli police Ammar Awad/ ReutersMasked Palestinian protesters throw stones towards Israeli policemen Ahmad Gharbali/ AFPA masked Palestinian protester, wearing pieces of cloth and plastic during clashes with the Israeli policeAhmad Gharbali/ AFPA masked Palestinian rests inside Al-Aqsa mosque during clashes with Israeli police for the third day runningAmmar Awad/ ReutersMasked Palestinian protesters wearing pieces of cloth around their bodies gesture during clashes with the Israeli policeAhmad Gharbali/ AFP
The Al-Aqsa mosque is referred to by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. It is believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad embarked on a night journey to heaven. The Jewish community refer to the site as the Temple Mount, where the two Jewish temples stood in biblical times.
Violence was witnessed at the holy site back in September. Since then, Palestinian's have carried out dozens of attacks, including shootings and car ramming assaults, killing 32 Israelis and two visiting Americans. According to AP, 200 Palestinians have been killed during that time, most of which were identified as attackers by Israel.
The unrest has led to renewed calls for peace talks, which last broke down more than two years ago.
Tourists listen to a guide during a visit at Mount of Olives in east Jerusalem overlooking the Old City and the Dome of the Rock mosque, situated at the Al-Aqsa mosque compoundThomas Coex/ AFPA masked Palestinian protester sweeps the ground following clashes with Israeli policeAhmad Gharbali/ AFPPalestinians clear the damage at the entrance of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City after clashes erupted at the compound between Palestinians and Israeli policeAhmad Gharbali/ AFPPalestinian Muslim women pray in front of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compoundAhmad Gharbali/ AFPMasked Palestinians read the Koran prior to the clashes with Israeli police for the third dayAmmar Awad/ ReutersMasked Palestinians gesture during clashes with Israeli policeAmmar Awad/ ReutersA masked Palestinian protester wearing pieces of cloth around his body keeps watch following clashes with Israeli police officersAhmad Gharbali/ AFPMasked Palestinian protesters wearing pieces of cloth around their bodies read the Koran following clashes with the Israeli police Ahmad Gharbali/ AFPMasked Palestinians gather during clashes with Israeli policeAmmar Awad/ ReutersMasked Palestinian protesters wearing pieces of cloth around their bodies read the Koran following clashes with the Israeli policeAhmad Gharbali/ AFPA security guard from Waqf, the Jordanian foundation that oversees the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, talks to masked Palestinian protester following clashes with Israeli policeAhmad Gharbali/ AFPMasked Palestinian protesters wearing pieces of cloth and plastic around their bodies gesture during clashes with the Israeli police Ahmad Gharbali/ AFPMasked Palestinian protesters wearing pieces of cloth around their bodies read the Koran following clashes with the Israeli police at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the third consecutive dayAhmad Gharbali/ AFP
