With Temple Mount as flashpoint, violence rises in Jerusalem
In the midst of increasing violence and harassment against Arabs in Jerusalem and tensions over the Temple Mount, the Jerusalem Municipality announced encouraging news about two building plans in East Jerusalem Arab neighborhoods.
Hatred and nationalism have been seething in Jerusalem since three Israeli teens were slain on the outskirts of Hebron, and even more so during their funeral procession and following the killing of Palestinian youth Mohammed Abu Khdeir in East Jerusalem's Shuafat neighborhood.
Even as the United States mobilizes a broad Shiite-Sunni coalition against the fanatical Islamic State, the third most important city to Muslims has become a playing field for religious extremists and nationalists from both sides. One side — with the encouragement of government and right-wing legislators — aspires to deepen Jewish hegemony over the city, while the other responds with fire bombs, fueled by growing despair and distress.
The stalemate in the diplomatic process and what is perceived as a victory for Hamas and for the armed resistance in the most recent military conflict in Gaza are convincing more and more Palestinians that violence is the only way out. They are taking their anger out on Jews who have settled in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods around the Old City of Jerusalem.
A 16-year-old Palestinian youth died Sept. 7 after being severely wounded by a rubber-coated bullet in an Aug. 31 confrontation between stone throwers and police. In recent weeks, sticks and stones attacks against Arab passers-by on the West Jerusalem streets, attempted stabbings and spraying of tear gas in their faces are also on the rise. Firebombs have been hurled at Palestinian homes and Jewish passengers forcibly removed from Arab cabs.
