3 reported dead in new Israeli-Palestinian violence

Stone-throwing at Jerusalem mosque brings Israeli show of force

September 27, 1996
Web posted at: 10:15 a.m. EDT (1415 GMT)

In this story:

• CNN reports from the scene
• Tunnel shut temporarily
• Arafat's orders
• Related stories and sites

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Two Palestinians were reported killed Friday inside the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in a clash with Israeli security forces, Palestinian sources said. At least five Israeli policemen were hurt by stones.

In a separate clash in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Israeli Radio said an Israeli soldier had been killed in fighting with Palestinian demonstrators.

At the mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites, Israeli soldiers said they fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of Palestinians who were throwing stones at them. The security forces had been deployed to maintain order during Friday prayers.

CNN's Jerrold Kessel and Walter Rodgers report from Jerusalem
		"Jerusalem has been thrust back to the forefront . . ." (14 sec./309K AIFF or WAV sound)
		"Muslim protests were directed against the police presence . . ." (17 sec./381K AIFF or WAV sound)
		"It was apparently precipitated . . ." (13 sec./270K AIFF or WAV sound)
		"When those stones start coming . . ." (16 sec./381K AIFF or WAV sound)
		"I was talking to Palestinians . . ." (8 sec./90K AIFF or WAV sound)

The violence occurred on a third day of Palestinian violence over Israel's decision to open a final portion of pedestrian tunnel that runs near the mosque. Since Wednesday, about 50 Palestinians and Israelis have been killed in clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Tunnel shut temporarily

Jerusalem city officials told CNN the controversial pedestrian tunnel has been closed for the Friday and Saturday weekend. A spokesman for the municipality said the tunnel will be closed every Friday and Saturday, as city offices are closed on those days, and that its closing is not related to the violence.

Muslims feel the tunnel undermines their control over the mosque and other shrines.

The latest trouble occurred on the Islamic prayer day. Although the Jewish Sabbath is on Saturday, there were Jewish worshipers at the nearby Western Wall, which runs below the Al Aqsa compound. They were ordered out by police, Kessel reported.

A guard at the mosque compound said the incident began when worshipers started throwing stones at Israeli police and police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Hundreds of police then stormed the compound. The guard said some Islamic worshipers were beaten and arrested.

Arafat's orders

Throughout the morning, the official Voice of Palestine radio station had broadcast appeals for calm during Palestinian protest marches planned after the Muslim noon prayers.

The messages signaled that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was trying to reassert his control a day after many members of his 30,000-strong armed police force had ignored orders and engaged in firefights with Israeli troops.

The fighting left the Israeli-Palestinian peace agreements in tatters, and it was not clear whether Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet soon to try to restore order.

Late Thursday, Arafat rebuffed Netanyahu's request for an immediate meeting, saying there was no point in holding talks unless the Israeli leader came with concrete proposals on how to fulfill promises Israel made in the peace accords.

On Friday, Israeli troops continued to seal off the West Bank and Gaza, barring Palestinian workers from entering Israel.

Lt. Gen. Amnon Shahak, Israel's armed forces chief of staff, said tanks would be used to quell possible riots. On the outskirts of Bethlehem, scene of fierce gun battles for two days, two tanks were parked in an olive grove.

Correspondents Walter Rodgers, Jerrold Kessel, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Syrian leader claims accord reached on Golan Heights - September 26, 1996
• Israeli prime minister returns home for emergency meeting - September 26, 1996
• Peres: Netanyahu wants 'peace for nothing' September 26, 1996
• Flurry of meetings seek to end Israeli-Palestinian fighting - September 26, 1996
• Seven Palestinians die in clashes in West Bank - September 25, 1996
• Ancient tunnel was once a waterway - September 25, 1996
• Israeli archaeological digs threaten Islamic mosque - September 24, 1996

Related sites:

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• UN
• Israeli Government Information Service
• Islamic Association for Palestine

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