Over 160 injured in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police in Jerusalem
Audio 01:17
A man prays as elements of the Israeli police gather during clashes near the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on May 7, 2021. REUTERS - AMMAR AWAD
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
The situation has been tense in the region since the start of the month of Ramadan.
And on this last Friday of this holy month for Muslims, the violence has just taken a new step.
Clashes even took place on the Esplanade des Mosques, the third holiest site in Islam.
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With our special
correspondent
,
Sami Boukhelifa
The stun grenades of the Israeli police almost mask the sound of the prayers which continue as if nothing had happened on the Mosques plaza.
Behind a low wall a group of young Palestinians are breaking cobblestones.
Stones are flying in the direction of the Israeli security forces who would have launched hostilities first according to the young man who requests anonymity.
“
It is the Israeli police who are at the origin of this violence. First there was an altercation between a Palestinian and a policeman. The police beat him up and then you know how it goes… the situation has flared up. Reinforcements have arrived and there they are attacking us,
”denounces the young man.
This month of Ramadan is marked by renewed tensions.
On Sunday and Monday thousands of nationalist Jews hold their annual march to celebrate Israel's conquest of Jerusalem.
For this other Palestinian, it is therefore absolutely necessary to mark his territory.
“
The Israeli settlers have appealed to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque during this month of Ramadan.
And so the young Palestinians are on their guard to defend the holy places.
May God protect us and keep them away from us
”.
In addition to the mosque esplanade, the clashes reached a neighboring district.
Rescuers from the Palestinian Red Crescent intervened to treat the wounded.
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Jerusalem
Israel
Palestinian territories