Muslim rioters clash with Israeli police in Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque
Israeli police say they responded with force only after the barricaded radicals refused to vacate the building peacefully
Violent Muslims barricaded themselves in Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday night, fired fireworks and threw stones at Israeli police forces when they attempted to enter the building.
Police officers responded by firing stun grenades and reportedly detained around 350 rioters. Dozens were reportedly wounded in the clashes, including at least one Israeli police officer.
Israel Police said it responded with force only after the barricaded radicals refused to vacate the building peacefully.
Vast majority of Palestinians and Muslims go to Al Aqsa in peace.
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) April 5, 2023
But like clockwork, every Ramadan, Passover … small number of Palestinian go on crazy rioting rampage, forcing the Israeli into action, to create calm and peace. pic.twitter.com/7vXheBbH2O
Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for the Hamas terrorist organization, accused Israel of waging a "religious war" against Al Aqsa Mosque.
"Our Palestinian people will not allow the occupation's plans to be implemented in al-Aqsa Mosque, and we call on our people to inflict upon the occupation the price of this crime," Qassem threatened .
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry blamed the Jewish state for the riots in the Al Aqsa Mosque.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the occupation police's storming of the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque and assaulting it and those present in it, and Israel bears responsibility for the dangerous consequences of this escalation," stated the foreign ministry in the Jordanian capital Amman.
Egypt also criticized Israel for the violent event and stressed its role as a regional mediator.
"Egypt holds Israel, the occupying power, responsible for this dangerous escalation, which would undermine the calming efforts that Egypt is engaging in with its regional and international partners," said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Tensions tend to be high around the Al Aqsa Mosque during the Muslim month of Ramadan. In March, Israeli forces also removed rioters who had barricaded themselves inside the mosque.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
