Muslims Throw Stones at Jewish Visitors to Temple Mount

Muslims threw stones at Jewish visitors at the Temple Mount on Wednesday, triggering riots and prompting a police response in Jerusalem's Old City, Israel National News reported.

Police had been prepared for violence after Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah last week called for Muslims to physically block Jews from visiting the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism.

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Israel National News reported:

Yesterday, the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel was arrested on charges of "incitement against Israel and regarding the Temple Mount," and is currently being questioned by police.

This morning's attack on Jewish visitors is likely connected to Salah’s claim last week to his followers that Israel is planning to “break in” to the Temple Mount, on which the Islamic Al Aqsa compound is located, built atop the ruins of two Jewish Temples.

After warning of the alleged "danger" of increased Jewish prayer at the site, Salah called on Muslims from across Israel - from the Negev and Galilee, Akko and Haifa - to descend on the Temple Mount to prevent the “dangerous mass invasion into Al Aqsa” with their bodies.

In the past, such statements have led the Israeli Police to close off the Temple Mount to Jews, out of concern that Jewish presence at the holy site could be met with Muslim riots, which on Wednesday proved to be true.

Wednesday evening marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.

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