After two weeks of quiet, violence flares again on Temple Mount

After two weeks of relative quiet in the Jerusalem area, disturbances again broke out in the city and its periphery yesterday morning. Shortly after the Temple Mount was opened up to tourists and other non-Muslim visitors, several dozen Palestinians began throwing stones at both police and tourists. The police attempted to disperse the stone throwers and the Temple Mount was closed to visitors. According to Palestinian medical personnel on the scene, 30 worshippers on the Temple Mount required medical attention as a result of the disturbances, among them two first-aid workers and five journalists who had been hit by police. Among those detained was Hatem Abdel Kader, who holds the Jerusalem portfolio in the Fatah leadership. He is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow regarding a request to extend his detention. Abdel Kader was arrested, according to the police, after attacking police officers and calling on worshippers to march out in a procession.