Israeli police say they have arrested five Palestinians for allegedly "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site.
The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the hilltop compound that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade.
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Israeli police say they have arrested five Palestinians for allegedly "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site.
The site — known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary — is considered the holiest place in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. Any change to the status quo, no matter how minor, has the potential to ignite tensions.
Israeli police arrests aPalestinian at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police arrests a Palestinian in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police arrests aPalestinian at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police confronts Palestinians at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police confronts Palestinians in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Muslim religious officials convened in the closed area last week, and Israeli police placed a lock on a fence in response. Videos purportedly of Monday's incident show several men damaging the fence.
Israeli police arrests aPalestinian at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
The site — known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary — is considered the holiest place in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. Any change to the status quo, no matter how minor, has the potential to ignite tensions.
Israeli police arrests aPalestinian at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police arrests aPalestinian at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police arrests a Palestinian in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police arrests aPalestinian at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police confronts Palestinians at al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)
Israeli police confronts Palestinians in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Israeli police officers have arrested several Palestinians for "causing a disturbance" at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site. The men took part in a prayer protest Monday outside a section of the Temple Mount that has been closed by Israeli court order for over a decade. (AP PhotoMahmoud Illean)