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Jerusalem 'tense' after clashes Jerusalem 'tense' after clashes
(40 minutes later)
A tense calm is reported in the Old City of Jerusalem after clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians erupted at a contested holy site.A tense calm is reported in the Old City of Jerusalem after clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians erupted at a contested holy site.
Dozens of people were hurt when police moved in to quell violent protests against excavation work in the area.Dozens of people were hurt when police moved in to quell violent protests against excavation work in the area.
Scores of Palestinians briefly barricaded themselves in the al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest site.Scores of Palestinians briefly barricaded themselves in the al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest site.
The violence flared over the digging work, which protesters say threatens the mosque's foundations.The violence flared over the digging work, which protesters say threatens the mosque's foundations.
The compound containing the mosque is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples.The compound containing the mosque is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples.
The BBC's Matthew Price in the Muslim quarter of the Old City says the situation there remains tense.The BBC's Matthew Price in the Muslim quarter of the Old City says the situation there remains tense.
Plan of the holy sites Plan of the holy sites
He says a fire is burning in one of the lanes leading to the compound, while young Palestinians with scarves wrapped around their heads are occasionally throwing stones at Israeli police stationed there.He says a fire is burning in one of the lanes leading to the compound, while young Palestinians with scarves wrapped around their heads are occasionally throwing stones at Israeli police stationed there.
Our correspondent says it appears that the disturbances of earlier have started to die down but the Israeli police are still trying to clear Palestinian youths from the streets.Our correspondent says it appears that the disturbances of earlier have started to die down but the Israeli police are still trying to clear Palestinian youths from the streets.
Stand-offStand-off
An Israeli police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, told the BBC that more than 2,500 police officers had been deployed in the Old City to prevent the unrest from spreading.An Israeli police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, told the BBC that more than 2,500 police officers had been deployed in the Old City to prevent the unrest from spreading.
SACRED TO MUSLIMS Site of Prophet Muhammad's first prayers and ascent into Heaven, home to al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock SACRED TO JEWS Site of first and second Temples and the rock on which Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice Clickable guide to holy sites Where archaeology is politics SACRED TO MUSLIMS Site of Prophet Muhammad's first prayers and ascent into Heaven, home to al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock SACRED TO JEWS Site of first and second Temples and the rock on which Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice Clickable guide to holy sites Where archaeology is politics class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6347509.stm">In pictures: Clashes erupt
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters who pelted them with stones.Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters who pelted them with stones.
Israeli police say 20 protesters and 15 police officers were injured in the clashes.Israeli police say 20 protesters and 15 police officers were injured in the clashes.
Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, who was inside the mosque along with about 150 protesters, told the BBC Israeli forces threw a cordon around the area and did not allow anyone in or out.Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, who was inside the mosque along with about 150 protesters, told the BBC Israeli forces threw a cordon around the area and did not allow anyone in or out.
The protesters left following a stand-off with police outside the mosque.The protesters left following a stand-off with police outside the mosque.
FlashpointFlashpoint
The excavations, which began on Tuesday, are a prelude to the construction of a new walkway leading to the compound.The excavations, which began on Tuesday, are a prelude to the construction of a new walkway leading to the compound.
Israeli authorities say the work is needed to safeguard the ancient site and have guaranteed that there will be no structural damage to the area.Israeli authorities say the work is needed to safeguard the ancient site and have guaranteed that there will be no structural damage to the area.
The compound, in the Old City in East Jerusalem - an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war - has regularly been a flashpoint for violence.The compound, in the Old City in East Jerusalem - an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war - has regularly been a flashpoint for violence.
In 1996, Israel's opening of an exit to a tunnel near the site triggered riots in which 80 people died in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops.In 1996, Israel's opening of an exit to a tunnel near the site triggered riots in which 80 people died in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops.
And in 2000, the Palestinian uprising began at the mosque following a controversial tour of the site by Israel's then opposition leader, Ariel Sharon.And in 2000, the Palestinian uprising began at the mosque following a controversial tour of the site by Israel's then opposition leader, Ariel Sharon.
Since 1967, the compound has remained under Muslim jurisdiction in conjunction with neighbouring Jordan.Since 1967, the compound has remained under Muslim jurisdiction in conjunction with neighbouring Jordan.
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