Temple Mount reopens to worshipers

JERUSALEM, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Worshipers and visitors were admitted to Temple Mount Monday after weekend clashes between Israeli police and Arab demonstrators, officials said.

Unrest at Temple Mount and inside Jerusalem's Old City prompted rabbis and politicians to call on Jews to forge a stronger bond with the site, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Police closed the Temple Mount to Muslim worshipers and visitors to negotiate with several dozen men who fled inside after throwing rocks and gasoline bombs, then spreading oil at the entrance as they fled. The Jewish prayer wall at the Temple remained open Sunday.

Israel's Minority Affairs minister, Avishay Braverman, said Monday the call by rabbis for Jews to be more aggressive about the Temple Mount, one of the most contentious religious sites in the world, would hurt Israel and the provocative move would undermine Israel's standing internationally, Israel Radio reported.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement Monday, said Cairo was concerned about what it called "Israel's actions in Jerusalem." Egyptian leaders said Israel must end inflaming passions, warning that Israel's behavior may have "consequences."

Nine police officers were wounded and 21 Arab rioters were arrested during clashes on the Mount on Sunday, in the alleyways of the Muslim Quarter and in east Jerusalem.