Prime Minister (PM) Naftali Bennett said that Israeli forces have been given a “free hand” to maintain security in East Jerusalem as Gazan fundamentalist group Hamas called for an escalation of violence. Bennett’s statement came as over 150 Palestinians and several Israelis were injured in clashes between the police and rioters in the Temple Mount compound last week.
During a meeting with security officials on Sunday, Bennett called on security forces to “enable members of all faiths to celebrate their holidays” in Jerusalem and said “offenders who violate the public order and try to harm the holiday routine must be dealt with.”
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held an assessment regarding events in Jerusalem.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 17, 2022
"We are working to calm things down on the one hand and are taking vigorous action against violent individuals on the other. The security forces are ready for any scenario."https://t.co/DUsQPW5C9I
In this respect, he said, “The security forces are continuing to receive a free hand from the political echelon for any measure to ensure security for the citizens of Israel.” Noting that forces are working to “calm” the situation, Bennett emphasised that they are “ready for any scenario” and will take “vigorous action against violent individuals.”
The PM also said that measures were being taken against “inciters” who have been disseminating “false videos and fake news.”
Bennett’s remarks follow a statement on Friday by the leaders of Hamas calling for an escalation of violence against Israel. Hamas called Israeli actions a “Zionist threat to invade the Al-Aqsa Mosque [and] conduct sacrifices.”
Hamas said that Israel is “playing with fire” by committing aggression at Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. It further added that Israel had crossed a “red line” by entering the compound and said that Palestinians cannot accept the actions of Israeli forces.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said on Sunday that “Al-Aqsa is ours and ours alone” and that any attempt by Israel to change its status will have consequences. “Our people have the right to access it and pray in it, and we will not bow down to repression and terror,” he stressed.
Israel storming Al Aqsa and firing tear gas and stun grenades. #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/D6u9Eiffh4
— Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu) April 15, 2022
Israeli forces have increased raids in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks since March that have killed 14 Israelis. The raids have angered many Palestinians, who have accused the Israelis of using excessive force and rioted against security personnel.
BREAKING: Palestinian Red Crescent reports 7 people injured in #Jerusalem as Israeli forces storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound using stun grenades & tear gas. Is this a repeat of last Ramadan’s horrifying events? #ISRAEL #PALESTINE pic.twitter.com/5l3om5T0eO
— Arwa Ibrahim (@arwaib) April 15, 2022
The riots, which coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish festival of Passover, spread to the Temple Mount compound, which hosts the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli police accused rioters among hundreds of worshippers attending Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa of provoking clashes by hurling stones toward the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site located outside Temple Mount.
As a result, Israeli security forces launched raids on the complex to prevent further rioting. Israel has accused rioters of stockpiling stones inside the Mosque and preventing Israelis from touring the complex. Heavy fighting broke out near the vicinity of the Mosque, injuring over 150 Palestinians.
Jewish worshipers brutally attacked today in Jerusalem’s Old City.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 17, 2022
Israel is determined to maintain freedom of worship for all. That includes clamping down on those that promote violence, desecrate holy sites and pervert the spirit of the holy days.pic.twitter.com/LcUSkOaY7x
Furthermore, Israel said that Jewish worshipers were physically assaulted by rioters, who also threw stones at buses carrying Israeli citizens. Several Israelis were injured in the stone-pelting.
Statement by @israelpolice: Police received a report of stone-throwing at buses traveling near the Old City of Jerusalem. As a result of the stone-throwing, several buses were damaged and a number of passengers were lightly injured and are now receiving medical treatment. pic.twitter.com/gJzQL9vYZb
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 17, 2022
However, Palestinians accuse Israel of provoking tensions. Several conservative Israeli groups have recently called for Jews to conduct sacrifices at the Temple Mount, a red line for Palestinians.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) called Israel’s actions “tantamount to declaring war on the Palestinian people.” PA spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh said on Sunday that what happened in the Temple Mount was a “blatant attack” on the beliefs of Muslims and constituted a “dangerous escalation,” and its repercussions are to be “borne by the Israeli government alone.”
Israel’s use of force in East Jerusalem was criticised by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, who normalised ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. Jordan, Turkey, and Iran also condemned Israel’s actions.
Currently, the custodianship of Al-Aqsa and the surrounding holy sites are under Jordan, and Jews are not permitted to pray in the Temple Mount, rather they are only allowed to visit the complex on select days during specified times. While Israel has promised to maintain the status quo, recently security forces have been seen escorting Jewish groups into the complex for prayers.
The Temple Mount, also known as the Haram as-Sharif, hosts the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism and Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam. Clashes in the area, especially during Ramadan, are a regular affair.
In May 2021, fighting erat the site during Ramadan and eventually led to an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas.