Israeli coalition on verge of collapse as Jerusalem roils
The tensions at Jerusalem’s holy sites is tearing apart what little is left of the Israeli coalition government.
The compound that Jews call the Temple Mount and Muslims call Haram al-Sharif, holy to both religions, is a perennial flashpoint, a powder keg that can always be counted on.
In October 2000, hard-line Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's visit sparked rioting that became known as the second Palestinian intifada and left thousands dead over five years.
In recent weeks, Israel’s allies in the region have repeatedly urged Israel to ensure calm at the site ahead of the converging Muslim, Jewish and Christian religious observances of Ramadan, Passover and Easter. Any suggestion of real or perceived Israeli aggression toward Muslim worshipers, they warned, would be dangerous.
Heads of state, government ministers and senior security and intelligence officials from many Arab and Muslim states chimed in. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will soon hold a phone call with Israel's President Isaac Herzog on this issue.
