THE STRUGGLE OVER ONE MOSQUE: WHAT HAPPENS IN JERUSALEM?

On the night of 23-24 February, Israeli military and police conducted extensive raids in the Eastern part of the ancient Holy City of Jerusalem. Dozens of Palestinians have been detained. There are many religious persons among them: gray-haired tall preachers, dressed in warm autumn costumes with a white Muslim skullcap, which tells about their spiritual status in the community. On the morning of February 24, they all were released without any charges.

This episode has caused a real storm of different feelings among Palestinians in the Jerusalem Muslim community. Hundreds of young people organized marches and protests near the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, demanding that the Israeli authorities open the temple for prayer. Typically, the demonstrations ended with clashes with Israelis, who dispersed Palestinians with tear gas, rubber bullets and batons.