Palestinians have returned to a key holy site in Jerusalem for the first time in two weeks after Israel removed controversial security apparatus.

Worshippers flocked to the compound after Muslim leaders lifted a two-week boycott following Israel's reversal.

The measures were introduced by Israel after the killing of two Israeli policemen nearby.

But the violence that has gripped the city continued, with more than 130 injured in clashes with police.

Palestinians were seen chanting and dancing in the alleyways outside the compound, before entering for afternoon prayers on Thursday.

But violence broke out shortly afterwards, according to news agency AFP, with police trying to control the crowds by firing stun grenades and tear gas.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 136 Palestinians were hurt, both inside the Old City complex known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, and in the immediate area.

A total of 21 people were taken to hospital, the Red Crescent said, while one officer was wounded, according to reports.

Israeli police say officers responded after stones were thrown at them at the site's gates.

Palestinians had fiercely objected to the new security set-up, seeing it as an Israeli attempt to exert control over the Old City complex known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The last pieces were removed on Thursday after days of violence in which seven people were killed.

Last week Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he was freezing all contacts with Israel, including security co-operation, until Israel cancelled the new measures.

There have been intensive diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, involving the US and Jordan, which is custodian of the holy site and has a large Palestinian population.

The Israeli government has not yet commented on its decision to completely dismantle the infrastructure. Observers say it is a climbdown by Prime Minister Netanyahu, which will put him at odds with more right-wing members of his cabinet.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a political rival to Mr Netanyahu and whose party is part of the ruling coalition, criticised the decision.

"Israel comes out weakened from this crisis," he told Israel's Army Radio. "Instead of sending a message about Israel's sovereignty on the Temple Mount, it sent a message that Israel's sovereignty can be questioned."

The issue of control in East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, is one of the most contentious areas of dispute with the Palestinians.

Israel claims sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem, though this is not recognised by the international community. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a sought-after state.

In a separate development, Mr Netanyahu accused the Qatar-funded, pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV channel of fuelling the crisis.

"The Al Jazeera network continues to stir violence around the Temple Mount," he posted in Hebrew on his Facebook page, vowing to "enact the required legislation to expel Al Jazeera from Israel".

Palestinians jubilant

Palestinians sang, danced and let off fireworks as railings and security camera gantries were removed from the Lions' Gate entrance near the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif in the early hours of Thursday morning.

"For 12 days no-one has slept, no-one has done anything except the al-Aqsa mosque," bystander Firas Abasi told AFP news agency.

He said he felt like crying over what he called a "victory".

Mass prayer gatherings had been held in the street outside the Old City walls and near-daily clashes between Israeli security forces and demonstrators have taken place since the metal detectors were introduced in the wake of the killings of the policemen near the site on 14 July.

Four Palestinians were killed and three Israeli civilians stabbed to death by a Palestinian who said he was avenging Israel actions at the site.

Israel said the security measures were necessary because the weapons used to kill the police had been smuggled on to the compound.

Earlier this week, it vowed to bolster its police presence around the site and introduce less obtrusive security measures over the next six months, including unspecified "advanced technologies".

Source:
courtesy of BBC NEWS

by BBC NEWS

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