Israel, Rabbis Call Jews to Western Wall : Mideast: Officials push for a rally at Judaism’s most sacred site just days after 19 Palestinians were killed nearby.
The government and Israel’s chief rabbis called on Israelis to come to the Western Wall by the thousands tonight to reassert control over Judaism’s holiest site.
Police fired tear gas in Jerusalem’s Old City today to break up a march by about 150 Palestinians to the Temple Mount, where police killed 19 Arabs earlier this week.
Thousands of fundamentalist Muslims demonstrated in neighboring Jordan and pledged to avenge Monday’s killings, which occurred when police opened fire on rioters stoning Jews praying at the Western Wall below.
Security was heavy at the adjacent Temple Mount, which is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Police also set up checkpoints at the gates to the Temple Mount, known in Arabic as Haram al-Sharif, or “Noble Enclosure.”
Hundreds of riot police backed by soldiers patrolled nearby to prevent further clashes between Muslims and Jews. At the gates to Jerusalem’s Old City, riot police frisked Palestinians and turned some away.
“We will prevent young inciters from reaching the area,” Jerusalem police Cmdr. Arieh Bibi said.
Earlier, during the march, the Palestinians chanted: “World, listen to us! We are people who will never submit!”
They were blocked from entering the Temple Mount compound, but inside, several hundred Arabs marched around the Dome of the Rock Mosque with outlawed Palestinian flags. They chanted the Muslim battle cry “Allahu Akbar,” or God is Great.
Christian leaders, including the Greek Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, Lufti Laham, marched from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to the Temple Mount to join Muslim clerics in prayer.
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