Politics
07:47, 25-Jul-2017
Israel to remove metal detectors at sensitive holy site
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Israeli ministers have decided to stop the use of metal detectors at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site, a statement said early Tuesday, after the new security measures set off deadly unrest.
The security cabinet accepted "the recommendation of all the security bodies to change the inspection with metal detectors to a security inspection based on advanced technologies and other means," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.
Security forces were already seen removing at least some of the metal detectors late Monday night, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported.
Israeli security forces remove metal detectors which were recently installed at an entrance to the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, July 25, 2017. /VCG Photo
Israeli security forces remove metal detectors which were recently installed at an entrance to the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, July 25, 2017. /VCG Photo
As word spread of the decision, a few hundred Palestinians gathered to celebrate near an entrance to the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. One person set off a firework, prompting Israeli police to raid and disperse them using sound grenades.
Israel installed metal detectors at entrances to the Jerusalem site, which includes Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, after an attack on July 14 that killed two policemen.
A Palestinian protester hurls stones at Israeli troops as others take cover during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, July 24, 2017. /VCG Photo
A Palestinian protester hurls stones at Israeli troops as others take cover during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, July 24, 2017. /VCG Photo
Palestinians view the new security measures as Israel asserting further control over the site. They have refused to enter the compound in protest and have prayed in the streets outside instead.
Israeli authorities said the metal detectors were needed because the July 14 attackers smuggled guns into the site and emerged from it to shoot the officers. Clashes have broken out during protests over the measures, leaving five Palestinians dead.
Three Israelis were also killed when a Palestinian sneaked into a house in a West Bank settlement and stabbed them.
The decision to remove the metal detectors follows talks between Netanyahu and Jordan's King Abdullah II. Jordan is the official custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.
(Source: AFP)
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