Reeling from Friday’s clashes, Israel braces for more violence in Jerusalem
With Ramadan, Passover and Easter converging, Israeli security agencies are on edge, especially in Jerusalem’s Old City and the Temple Mount compound.
The police force beefed up its presence in Jerusalem’s Old City this morning ahead of the traditional Passover prayer ceremony at the Western Wall Plaza. Around 2,500 police officers are securing the area. Tensions have been high in Jerusalem over the past few days, especially last Friday, on the Temple Mount Compound and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel's police force is staying vigilant today for possible clashes with Palestinians and overcrowding at the Western Wall Plaza. So far, no major incidents have been reported.
The Passover prayer, known as "the blessing of the priests," usually draws 15,000 Jewish worshipers to the site. Following the deadly stampede at the Galilee's Mount Meron last year, when 45 people were killed during a religious festival, authorities decided to split this year's Jerusalem Passover blessing into two sessions, one today and one on Wednesday. So far today, only a few thousand Jewish worshipers have arrived to the site for the prayer.
Israeli security forces have been on high alert across the country since the end of March, when a spate of terror attacks hit the country. Palestinians and Arab-Israelis assaulted and killed 14 Israelis in four attacks on March 22, 27 and 29 and April 6. The four attacks all took place in large cities: Beersheba, Hadera, Bnei Bark and Tel Aviv.
With Ramadan, Passover and Easter all celebrated so closely this year, Israel fears the violence will escalate. Still, despite the terror wave, Israeli authorities decided last week to keep the Temple Mount compound open for Ramadan prayers. The government also decided not to close crossing points from the West Bank and Gaza except for Saturday, the first day of Passover.
