Israeli police clash with Palestinian protesters near al-Aqsa mosque as Ban Ki-moon slams Israel's 'colonisation'

2014-10-13 55

Police and Palestinian demonstrators have again clashed in Jerusalem following morning prayers at al-Aqsa mosque.

Police were attacked with rocks and petrol bombs before chasing the crowd back towards the mosque. An unknown number have barricaded themselves inside.

Palestinians are angry that orthodox Jews were allowed to gather on Temple Mount for the Sukkot religious festival after a city ruling on Sunday.

The orthodox visit went ahead, following which all the approaches to the mosque were sealed off. The Palestinian Authority condemned the fact that among the orthodox visitors was a high-profile Likud member of parliament who Palestinians see as an extremist colonist.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, on a two-day visit to the Palestinians condemned what he called “repeated provocations in Jerusalem’s holy places”, and added he was opposed to Israel’s “continuing colonisation” and settlement expansion. He called on both sides to resume peace talks immediately.