Hundreds of Palestinians hurt in clash at Jerusalem holy site

by John Bowden - 05/10/21 8:03 AM ET

A Palestinianman helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound — Getty Images

Hundreds of Palestinians were injured on Monday after a clash between Israeli police and protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

Reuters and The Associated Press reported that at least 305 people were injured, with dozens sent to nearby hospitals. Reports differed on the cause of the violence, with Israeli police accusing protesters inside the mosque of throwing rocks at officers while Palestinian officials accused police of conducting a raid on the site.

Video and photos of the confrontation on social media showed hundreds of worshippers running through the mosque while riot police stormed the building.

The Israeli occupation forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking worshipers with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. Dozens of casualties among men, women and children.#SaveSheikhJarrah #Jerusalem #Palestine pic.twitter.com/ODQ7vVFcA4

— Khalid Al-Sabi (@KhalidSabi) May 10, 2021

Guns and grenades were used against Muslim worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in the world, on one of the holiest nights of Ramadan.

This is shameful and should prompt worldwide outrage. pic.twitter.com/0PJhnqw4tT

— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) May 9, 2021

Israeli police said 21 officers were injured, including three who were sent to hospitals, according to the AP.

Monday’s violence follows outrage from Palestinians over efforts by the Israeli government in recent weeks to evict Arab residents of an east Jerusalem neighborhood where Israeli settlers are fighting legal battles over properties.

News of the clashes on Monday sparked condemnation from world leaders including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who is of Palestinian descent.

“I was 7 years old when I first prayed at the Al Aqsa with my sity. It’s a sacred site for Muslims. This is equivalent to attacking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, or the Temple Mount for Jews,” tweeted Tlaib.

“Israel attacks it during Ramadan,” she continued. “Where’s the outrage @POTUS?”

I was 7 years old when I first prayed at the Al Aqsa with my sity. It’s a sacred site for Muslims. This is equivalent to attacking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, or the Temple Mount for Jews.

Israel attacks it during Ramadan. Where’s the outrage @POTUS? https://t.co/Q4gGBrCOof

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 10, 2021