Temple Mount clashes anger Arabs

JERUSALEM, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- A Palestinian official accused Israel of deliberately raising tensions after clashes erupted at the Temple Mount before the Jewish Day of Atonement.

The clashes Sunday, which Haaretz said caused injuries to 17 police officers and 13 Palestinians and resulted in 11 arrests, generated harsh condemnation in the Arab world.

"Providing a police escort for settlers who are against peace at all costs, and whose presence is deliberately designed to provoke a reaction, are not the actions of someone who is committed to peace," the Al Arab Online Web site quoted Saeb Erekat as saying Monday.

The Arab League in Cairo accused Israel of "premeditated aggression," the site said.

The Web site said Jordan called on the Israeli ambassador in Amman to protest what it termed the "Israeli escalation," the site said.

The Jewish Day of Atonement also known as Yom Kippur, is the holiest day in the Jewish religion and is a day of fasting and prayer. The holiday began on Sunday at sunset and ended on Monday evening.

Palestinian Authority strongman Mohammed Dahlan, a member of Fatah's Central Committee, warned a third intifada (civil uprising) could erupt and said Palestinians will not stand by idly. Dahlan said the Israeli government was responsible for the violence, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported.

Israeli police said the clashes erupted when Palestinian worshippers expressed anger over a group of tourists they believed were immodestly dressed, Haaretz said.

Ynetnews.com said a crowd of Muslim worshippers gathered around a group of tourists who visited the Temple Mount and began throwing stones at them.