From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Hamas calls for ‘day of rage’ over Temple Mount metal detectors
Hamas calls for mass protests on Friday against metal detectors at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.
In a televised speech, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh urges Palestinians to participate in a “day of rage” against the stepped up security measures, which were imposed after a Palestinian shooting attack that left two Israeli police officers dead.
Israel initially closed the site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The compound, which houses the Al-Aqsa mosque, was reopened Sunday with metal detectors installed, a step Palestinians protest as a change to the longstanding status quo.
Haniyeh says “Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem are a red line,” and that “the closure and punitive measures on Jerusalemites and sanctuaries will not be allowed.”
— AP
The Times of Israel Community.