Temple Mount hit with riots and violence

Clashes between Palestinian Muslims and the Israeli police force continued on Monday for the second day after protests broke out inside a mosque compound in Al-Aqsa. Riots continued through the celebration of the Jewish New Year and protesters vowed to protect Islam's third holiest site, referred as the Temple Mount by the Jewish community. 

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Although the violence between security and Muslim protesters was condemned by the UN and US, it was reported that tensions escalated after Israel outlawed the two Muslim groups that attacked the Jewish site's visitors.

While Jordan and Palestine decried the police raid on the protest at the Holy site, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "it is our responsibility and our power to act against rioters to allow freedom of worship at this holy place," AFP reported.

Security forces were sent to restore peace between the groups, but the rioters fought back.

According to the police, masked youth threw stones at them before running off as soon as authorities entered the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. 

Booms were heard outside the gates while Muslims barricaded themselves inside the compound. Five protesters were arrested and it was announced that Jewish visits were to resume as planned.

The Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, outlawed the Murabitat and Murabitun groups last week, claiming that the Muslim groups play major roles in creating tension at the site. However, they were met by criticism from Muslims, believing that Israel is moving to transform their place of worship which they refer to as "Al-Haram Al-Sharif" or Noble Sanctuary.

"Clearly, Israel is deliberately creating and escalating a situation of instability, insecurity and violence, thereby incrementally assuring by force its power/security control in preparation for the total annexation and transformation of Al-Haram Al-Sharif," said Hanan Ashrawi, senior official for the Palestine Liberation Organization, in a statement on Monday.

Jews were allowed to visit the site but not to display any form of worship. Tensions escalated to the point of violence, which was also met by UN and US criticism. 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon expressed concern over the violence and Washington sent a similar message:

"The United States is deeply concerned by the recent violence and escalating tensions surrounding the Haram al-Sharif Temple Mount. We strongly condemn all acts of violence," said State Department spokesman John Kirby.

Netanyaho called an emergency meeting of members of his cabinet to brainstorm ways to prevent future violent outbursts.

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