Muslim Anti-Security Riots

According to The Times of Israel:

The White House is “very concerned” over tensions surrounding Jerusalem’s Temple Mount complex, it said in a statement late Wednesday, urging Israel and Jordan to restore calm to the area after days of violent clashes.

Muslim worshipers have been protesting Israel’s decision to install metal detectors and other security measures at entrances to the holy site in the wake of a deadly terror attack near there on Friday, saying the move breaks the delicate status quo agreement between Jerusalem and Amman.

“The United States is very concerned about tensions surrounding the Temple Mount/Haram Al-Sharif, a site holy to Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and calls upon the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to make a good faith effort to reduce tensions and to find a solution that assures public safety and the security of the site and maintains the status quo,” the White House press office said in a brief statement.It added that Washington would “continue to closely monitor the developments.”

On Wednesday, rioters clashed with Israeli police at sites around Jerusalem as part of a “day of rage” called to protest the metal detectors, the fourth straight day of violence stemming from the move.

Metal detectors were set up in front of entrances to the Temple Mount as part of increased security measures Sunday after police said three Arab-Israeli attackers who emerged armed from the compound and shot dead two police officers just outside on Friday had stashed their weapons on the holy site.

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