International Effort Underway to Defuse Temple Mount Tensions

Fearing the present crisis over the installation of metal detectors at the entrances to the Temple Mount – Haram al-Sharif [Noble Sanctuary] to Muslims – will grow into a third intifada [uprising], international consultations are under way while Israeli security forces and rioting Palestinians dig in. President Trump has dispatched his primary Mideast negotiator, Jason Greenblatt, who will arrive on Monday to see if he can assist in the search to restore calm. For the Israelis, the terror attack by three Israeli-Palestinians that killed two Israeli policemen on the Mount a week ago and the growing violence at the holy site demanded what most considered to be a minimal security response: the installation of metal detectors to prevent would-be worshipers with nefarious intents from bringing weapons into the area. But the move was met with an angry response, the Palestinians arguing that the metal detectors were somehow an effort by the Israelis to “Juda-ize” the shrine and strip the area of all Islamic heritage. While Israeli leaders were clearly caught off guard in terms of the severity of the Muslim reaction, non-stop riots broke out as thousands of Palestinians began a new daily routine of praying in the areas outside the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and when prayers are done, engage Israeli police in violent skirmishes and riots. As late as Sunday night, the violence continued. An incident was reported in the Israeli Embassy compound in Jordan where according to the Jordanian news agency, two Palestinians were killed and an Israeli wounded in a shooting that might have been inspired by events in Jerusalem. Jordan is the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem at the invitation of Israel. Israelis are still reeling from a ghastly terrorist attack on Friday night which saw three members of a family knifed to death and one severely wounded by a Palestinian teen who broke into their home and committed the slaughter during the family’s Sabbath meal. Israelis have been viewing vivid photos of blood-covered floors and furniture, while hearing that a statement left by the terrorist in the presumption he would be killed, tied his actions to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Four Palestinians have died this weekend in confrontations with Israeli security forces. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared an end to all cooperation – including security – with Israel, in what many believe to be dramatic, but unrealistic. Nevertheless, there has been no indication that either side is prepared to back down: the Israelis refusing to accept the logic of outrage over metal detectors or security cameras when such devices are routinely used elsewhere in the Arab world, and the Palestinians insisting, but not explaining, how the security devices could be a threat to the status when growing violence is undeniable.