Hoshana Raba TM News

FINAL UPDATE: Rock Attacks Around Jerusalem

(IsraelNN.com) Seven Border Police officers were lightly injured by rocks thrown by Arabs in the Ras Al-Amud neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem on Friday. An officer was lightly injured in the face in one of the three attacks.

A Border Guard jeep was also targeted by rock throwers at the Har Gilo and the tunnels checkpoint south of the capital. No injuries were reported, but the jeep was damaged in the attack.

In Tzur Baher, the throwing of rocks was accompanied by the burning of tires. Border Policemen chased and caught a masked demonstrator.

Police reported no major incidents during Friday prayers at Temple Mount mosques.

*******************
Temple Mount Tensions Rise; Fatah, Hamas Call Muslims to Act
(IsraelNN.com) Thousands of police officers have deployed in Jerusalem Friday in advance of Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount. Police are on high alert following a week in which Muslims rioted in and around Jerusalem as Muslim and Arab leaders accused Israel of attempting to harm the al-Aksa Mosque atop the Mount.
********************
Palestinian FM urges UN to ease Jerusalem tension
Ahead of Friday prayers at Temple Mount, Malki calls for Ban's 'immediate intervention to prevent Israel from escalating situation in Jerusalem.' Jerusalem Police on high alert. High Court rejects petition demanding Jews be granted access to holy site over the weekend

Hamas declares 'day of rage' for Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas declared Friday a "day of rage" and called on its supporters to come out and demonstrate at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, on Temple Mount.

The call came Thursday, following days of tension at the Temple Mount compound as Palestinian protesters sporadically clashed with Israeli police patrolling the holy site.

Leading religious figures in the Muslim world, such as Sheikh Yousuf al-Qaradawi, dubbed Friday "protect Al-Aqsa day." Joining the call to "protect" the mosque were Palestinian politicians and religious figures, who have been trying to convince the lethargic public in Gaza to come out and demonstrate.

Old City cops brace for Friday prayers

It seemed as though the calm before a storm had descended on the capital's Muslim Quarter on Thursday afternoon, as shopkeepers peered wearily at passing police patrols while hawking their wares to tourists, and the streets and alleyways grew eerily quiet by dusk.

While Thursday passed without any of the violence that had flared-up daily this week in the east Jerusalem neighborhoods bordering the Old City, both police and young Muslim men said they were readying themselves for Friday's noontime prayer at al-Aksa Mosque - which traditionally draw the largest crowds of the week - and focusing on it as the next likely flash-point.

"We're going to throw everything we can find," said one young Arab man in the Old City who was reluctant to give his name. "Rocks, stones, whatever we can find. I'm telling you, dirbalak [watch out], be careful if you come around here tomorrow, because if they see a Jew, it could be dangerous."