Jews visit contested Jerusalem holy site on day of mourning

AP  |  Jerusalem 

Israeli police says hundreds of Jews have ascended a contested holy site to mark Tisha B'Av, the Jewish day of mourning over the destruction of the biblical temples.

The site has been at the center of recent tensions after installed, and then removed, metal detectors there following the deadly shooting of two Israeli policemen.


Muslims administer the compound, home to the Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques, while Jews can visit but not pray there.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri says six Jewish visitors were removed Tuesday for violating the guidelines. She says three Jews and one Muslim were arrested after a minor skirmish.

Azzam Khateeb, director of the Muslim administration, the Waqf, says 870 Jews visited. He said "this is unprecedented, unacceptable and should stop.

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