Protests after Israel removes metal detectors from al-Aqsa mosque
Advanced surveillance cameras to be installed at disputed holy site following days of violence
Protests have erupted following Israel’s decision to replace metal detectors at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem with advanced surveillance cameras.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the move last night following days of violent confrontations.
The detectors were placed at the holy site after two guards were killed in a gun battle between Palestinians and Israeli forces on 14 July. Three other Israelis and five Palestinians died in the clashes that followed, while hundreds more have been injured, The Guardian reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Jerusalem Post calls the decision to remove the detectors as a "victory" for both sides.
However, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, director of al-Aqsa Mosque, said the move "does not fulfil the demands of the Muslim worshippers, as the security cameras remain."
Security is not the only issue at the holy site, which is known as Temple Mount by Jews and the Haram al-Sharif by Muslims. The Palestinian view is that "giving in to metal detectors would in a way be seen as conceding to Israel's assertion of its sovereignty over the holy site and by extension to whole of Jerusalem", Brookings Institution fellow Khaled el-Gindy told al Jazeera.
UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov says a solution is needed by Friday as the dispute threatens to have "potential catastrophic costs well beyond the walls of the Old City".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published