Israel Intercepts Rocket, More Clashes at Al-Aqsa

Facts

• The Israeli military said it intercepted a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Mon., the first launch since New Year's Eve, as tensions have soared in recent weeks.¹
• This comes after Palestinians and Israeli police clashed over the weekend in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, beginning with an Israeli raid on Fri. that saw hundreds arrested and over 150 Palestinians injured. Police say they entered to remove rocks and stones in anticipation of violence.²
• On Sun., Israeli police entered the mosque to secure the way for Jewish and foreign visitors, fueling clashes at the compound and in nearby side streets. At least 18 Palestinians were arrested and 17 wounded, according to Palestinian medical workers.³
• Raam, the first independent Arab party to join an Israeli government, said it was suspending its involvement with Israel's fragile ruling coalition in response to the confrontation.³
• The holy site, which is sacred to Muslims and Jews, has often been a flash point of violence, with clashes at the mosque sparking an 11-day conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military last year.⁴
• On Mon. the Israeli military also said 11 Palestinians were arrested in overnight raids across Israel. Two Palestinians were reportedly injured in related clashes.⁵

Sources: ¹Washington Post, ²ITN, ³New York Times, ⁴FOX News and ⁵ABC NEWS.

Narratives

• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Monitor. This is but the latest in a series of unprovoked attacks by Israeli occupation forces, who appear bent on turning the holy month of Ramadan in Jerusalem into a battlefield. Unfortunately, violence at the mosque is likely only just beginning, and Israel risks pushing Palestinians into a third Intifada.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Police officers were forced to act in response to Palestinian violence to block rioters from injuring worshippers and desecrating holy places. This is a complex and sensitive time, but Israel is determined to guarantee the security of its citizens and public order, while taking efforts to allow freedom of worship to everyone on the Temple Mount.