Palestinians Riot at Har Habayis

Masked Palestinian protesters hurled stones at policemen manning the gates of Har Habayis on Wednesday, prompting security forces to enter the compound and disperse the demonstrators, Israeli police said.

The distrubance came as Israel marked “Yerushalayim Day,” which commemorates the anniversary of Israel’s capture of the Old City of Yerushalayim, including the Kosel, in the 1967 Mideast war.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said “a small group of rioters” caused the disturbance, adding that one officer sustained a light injury.

After calming the situation, Rosenfeld said over 1,000 tourists and 250 Israelis entered the compound to tour under police protection.

Although no arrests were made during the riot, police were studying the surveillance footage taken of it in order to apprehend those involved.

Later that evening, seven passengers on an Egged bus were lightly hurt by stones thrown at them as the bus approached the Old City.

Thousands of people took part in the annual “Yerushalayim Day” parade in the Old City.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the May 29th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.