The Islamic Waqf, which controls the Temple Mount complex, has instructed Muslim worshippers to continue protesting outside the compound, despite Israel’s removal of metal detectors from entrances.
The detectors were installed ten days ago, after three Arabs descended from the Al Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount and shot two Israeli policemen. Last night, however, Israel’s security cabinet decided to remove them and replace them with “smart” security cameras.
The Waqf officials had ordered worshippers not to enter the compound as a protest against Israeli “encroachment”, with prayers held on the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem instead. However, despite the removal of the detectors, the Waqf has continued to order Muslims not to enter the compound, with the smart cameras being described by protesters as “worse than the metal detectors”.
Last Friday, clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces led to the deaths of three Palestinians. On Friday night, a Palestinian broke into a home in the settlement of Halamish and murdered three people having a Shabbat meal.
