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The Latest: In Jordan, Protesters Chant 'Death to Israel'

The Latest: In Jordan, Protesters Chant 'Death to Israel'

Friday, 28 July 2017 09:38 AM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Latest on developments at a contested shrine in Jerusalem (all times local):

3:55 p.m.

Several hundred Jordanians have chanted "Death to Israel" in a protest near Israel's Embassy before being dispersed by security forces.

Friday's protest was another sign of growing tensions between the two countries.

Earlier this week, a security guard at the Israeli Embassy shot and killed two Jordanians, including a 16-year-old who authorities said attacked him with a screw driver.

The guard returned to Israel to praise from Israel's prime minister, prompting unprecedented criticism from Jordan's king who said Benjamin Netanyahu's actions were "provocative."

Separately, Jordan was mediating in a showdown between Israel and the Palestinians over a Jerusalem shrine, where the kingdom serves as custodian.

Friday's protesters emerged from a mosque near the embassy in Jordan's capital, Amman. They were blocked by police after walking for about 200 meters (yards).

3:50 p.m.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry says the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation at a flashpoint Jerusalem's holy site.

A ministry statement on Friday says the meeting — to be attended by OIC foreign ministers — will be held on Aug. 1 in Istanbul.

Turkey holds the term presidency of the organization.

This week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on all Muslims to defend the al-Aqsa mosque and accused Israel of trying to take over the contested holy site in Jerusalem under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

3:40 p.m.

Israel's military says a Palestinian was shot and killed after he ran at soldiers brandishing a knife in the West Bank.

The military said no soldiers were hurt in Friday's incident at the Gush Etzion Junction, a busy intersection south of Jerusalem that has been the site of multiple Palestinian attacks.

It came amid tensions at a Jerusalem holy site where prayers ended peacefully on Friday after two weeks of unrest.

Since the latest wave of violence erupted in 2015, Palestinians have killed 48 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks against civilians and soldiers.

During that time, Israeli forces have killed over 256 Palestinians, most said by Israel to be attackers.

Israel blames the violence on incitement by Palestinian leaders. Palestinians say violence stems from anger at decades of Israeli rule in territories they claim.

3 p.m.

Authorities say prayers at a major Jerusalem shrine at the center of recent tensions have ended peacefully.

Firas Dibs, an official from the Jordanian religious body that administers the sacred site, said tens of thousands attended Friday prayers.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said prayers ended without incident. Police were out in force expecting trouble.

Muslims only returned to the site Thursday after about two weeks of praying in the streets nearby to protest new Israeli security measures.

Israel installed metal detectors and cameras at entrances after Arab gunmen shot and killed two police officers from within the site, holy to both Muslims and Jews.

Muslims were outraged by the move and the issue sparked some of the worst clashes in years.

The fate of the shrine is an emotional issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even the smallest perceived change to delicate arrangements there sparks tensions.

1:30 p.m.

Dozens of worshippers have staged an anti-Israel rally in Iran over stepped-up security measures by Israeli forces at a contested shrine in Jerusalem.

Chanting "Death to Israel" and "Death to America," demonstrators in Tehran on Friday protested Israel's security measures at the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Israeli police said Friday that men under the age of 50 will be barred from the shrine, which has been at the center of recent tensions.

11 a.m.

Jordan's attorney general has filed murder charges against an Israeli embassy guard in the shooting deaths of two Jordanians.

The guard left for Israel after the shooting, under the protection of diplomatic immunity.

State media said Friday that Attorney General Akram Masaadeh charged the guard with two counts of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The reports say Masaadeh called for the guard to be tried in Israel, and that Jordan would relay such a demand through diplomatic channels.

Israel's prime minister welcomed the guard like a hero, suggesting a trial is unlikely.

Jordanian authorities have said the guard opened fire Sunday after a 16-year-old attacked him with a screw driver during a furniture delivery to the embassy. A Jordanian standing near the teen was also killed.

8:20 a.m.

Israeli police say men under the age of 50 will be barred from a major Jerusalem shrine at the center of recent tensions.

Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the move comes after security assessments show Palestinians plan protests at the holy compound Friday. The site is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

Rosenfeld says some Palestinians barricaded themselves inside Al-Aqsa Mosque overnight in order to join protests later. Police removed them after they refused to leave, he said.

Friday prayers are the highlight of the Muslim religious week. Thousands of Muslims from around Israel and Palestinian areas typically worship at the holy compound in Jerusalem's Old City.

Muslims returned to pray at the site Thursday after Israel removed security devices at the entrances.

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


MiddleEast
The Latest on developments at a contested shrine in Jerusalem (all times local):3:55 p.m.Several hundred Jordanians have chanted "Death to Israel" in a protest near Israel's Embassy before being dispersed by security forces.Friday's protest was another sign of growing...
ML,Israel,Palestinians,The Latest
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2017-38-28
Friday, 28 July 2017 09:38 AM
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