Arabs call on UN to stop Jerusalem dig
Arab-Israeli leaders say international community must act in order to stop controversial construction near al-Aqsa Mosque; ‘Israel has no political, legal right to take any action in occupied east Jerusalem,’ they say. Meanwhile, 15 Arab youngsters detained in capital after hurling stones
“We do not accept the Israeli government’s excuses on what is taking place. Israel has no political or legal right to take any action in occupied east Jerusalem,” committee members said in a statement following an emergency meeting in Nazareth attended by all Arab Knesset members and other community leaders.
The committee called on the United Nations, European Union and other countries and organizations to act in a bid to end the controversial dig.
It was decided that the Arab MKs will meet with members of the Muslim Waqf at the al-Aqsa mosque on Monday. A demonstration near the site is planned for the coming days.
Meanwhile, in east Jerusalem, several dozen Arabs protesting the construction threw stones at a police station and burned tires; they were eventually dispersed.
In another incident, several east Jerusalem residents stoned a tourist bus at the Mount of Olives; no injuries were reported in either incident, but slight damage was caused to the bus, which was rescued by police officers.
The Jerusalem Police detained 15 Arab youngsters for questioning on suspicion of hurling stones near the new central bus station in east Jerusalem.
Efrat Weiss contributed to the report