What is behind the clashes in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem has been the scene of violent confrontation between Jews and Arabs for 100 years and remains one of the most controversial cities in the world. The recent clashes began a month ago, thanks to a move by the Israelites to block several Palestinian gatherings at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a period of common sensitivity on religious issues increases. After easing restrictions, tensions over a plan to expel dozens of Palestinians from a neighbourhood in eastern Jerusalem continue to stir up clashes.

On Monday, explosive devices that cause temporary hearing loss broke out in the sacred complex. Hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes between protesters dropping stones and police shooting tear gas and rubber bullets. Police officers were also injured during the clashes.

The reasons why Jerusalem always appears to be to the advantage, and what prompted violent incidents?

Israel views Jerusalem as its unified, eternal capital”. He annexed East Jerusalem, which includes the Old Town, during the Middle East war in 1967, along with the West Coast and Gaza. The Palestinians demand that those territories be part of their future state, and that eastern Jerusalem serve as their capital. But Israel has annexed the eastern part of the city thanks to an act that has not been recognised internationally.

The fate of eastern Jerusalem has been one of the thorniest issues in the peace process, which was halted more than a decade ago.

The Capital of Two Peoples

On Monday, the Israelites would mark the day of Jerusalem, a national festival celebrating annexation. Over the past few years, thousands of Israelis, mostly with religious-nationalist beliefs, have marched through the Old Town, including Muslim neighbourhood with a dense population, into a show that is considered provocative by many Palestinians. In recent days, hardline Israelites have organized other activities in eastern Jerusalem, leading to widespread and violent clashes with Palestinians.

The Holy Land

Monday's clashes took place both inside and around Al-Axis Mosque in the Old Town. The mosque is the third most sacred place for Islam and is located on a plain where the so-called Golden Dome is also erected. Muslims refer to the complex as the noble sanctuary.

The walled plateau is also the most sacred place for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount, the site of Bible temples. The Romans destroyed the second temple in the 1970 ' s, leaving only the Western Wall. The mosques were built centuries later.

The neighboring Jordan serves as host to the complex, which is operated by an Islamic foundation known as Vacaf. The country is open to tourists at certain times, but only Muslims are allowed to pray there. The Western Wall is the most sacred place where Jews can pray.

In recent years, groups of religious-nationalist Jews, accompanied by police, have visited the complex in large numbers, holding prayers contrary to rules imposed after 1967 by Israel, Jordan, and Muslim religious authorities. Palestinians view frequent visits and prayers by Jews as a provocation, and this has often sparked serious fights or violence.

Some Israelites say that the holy place should be open to all worshipers. Palestinians refuse because of fear that Israel can take over or divide it. Israeli officials say they are not planning to change the status quo.

discriminated politics

The Jews born in eastern Jerusalem are Israeli citizens, while Palestinians of eastern Jerusalem are granted a permanent permit that can be revoted if they live outside the city for a long time. They may apply for citizenship, but this is a long and uncertain process and most choose not to do so because of the non-recognition of Israeli control over Palestinian territories.

Israel has built Jewish settlements in eastern Jerusalem, where some 220,000 people live. This has severely limited the growth of Palestinian neighbourhoods, leading to unauthorized overcrowding and building of thousands of homes at risk of destruction.

In their latest reports, the Israeli rights group B'Tselem and the New York-based Human Rights Watch organisation cited discriminatory policies in eastern Jerusalem, arguing that Israel is guilty of crimes based on racial discrimination. Israel has rejected these charges, saying that the inhabitants of Jerusalem are treated equally.

Threats to Exile

Recent nighttime clashes began at the beginning of Ramadan, when Israeli police imposed obstacles outside the Old Town Damascus Gate, a popular gathering site after evening prayers during the holy month, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. They later removed the obstacles, but the protests escalated later due to the threat of driving dozens of Palestinian families from Jerusalem's eastern lagoon, Sheh Jarrah.

Families are involved in a long legal battle of Jews seeking to take over properties in the neighbourhoods packed with Palestinians located not far from the Old Town. Israel portrays it as a private dispute over real estate, but the difficult situation of families has attracted global attention.

Proximities

The clashes in Jerusalem and especially in Al-Axa often echo throughout the region.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas, who rules over Gaza, has called for a new uprising, such as the one caused by the visit of an Israeli politician to Al-Axa in 2000. Gaza militants have fired rockets and devices with lighting equipment in support of protesters.

Protests have been held on the Western Coast and in Arab communities within Israel. A series of shootings last week in the West Coast has also raised tensions.

Jordan and other Arab countries that have friendly ties with Israel have condemned the crackdown on protests, while Iran has encouraged Palestinian attacks by an enemy nation of Israel. The US and the EU have condemned violence and expressed concern over expulsions. / VOA