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THREE ARABS OPENED fire on Israeli police in Jerusalem earlier today, killing two before fleeing to an ultra-sensitive holy site where they were also shot dead in one of the most serious incidents in the city in recent years.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone later in the day as tensions rose over the attack and its aftermath.
The three attackers, Arab Israelis aged between 19 and 29, were shot dead by police, and a body could later be seen lying on the ground near the Al-Aqsa mosque at the holy site in Jerusalem’s Old City.
They had been armed with guns and knives, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Videos circulating on social media showed a hail of gunfire ring out in what seemed to be an exchange of bullets between Israeli security forces and the assailants.
Security forces locked down the area and the Al-Aqsa mosque was closed to prayers after the attack in a highly unusual move.
The attackers were from the Arab Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm, located near the occupied West Bank.
They were identified by police as Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad Jabareen, 29; Muhammad Hamed Abdel Latif Jabareen, 19, and Muhammad Ahmad Mafadal Jabareen, 29.
Arab Israelis are descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land following the creation of Israel in 1948. They largely identify with the Palestinian cause.
The police who were killed were identified as Ha’il Satawi (30) and Kamil Shanan (22) both from the Druze minority.
The assailants were killed at the site known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, the location of regular clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police, but where gunfire rarely occurs.
The site includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
In the phone call with Netanyahu, Abbas “expressed his strong rejection and condemnation of the incident at the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque and his rejection of any act of violence from any side, especially in places of worship”. official Palestinian news agency WAFA said.
The statement appeared stronger than previous such responses from Abbas, who has repeatedly called for non-violent resistance to Israel’s occupation without specifically condemning Palestinian attacks.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office confirmed the call.
“The prime minister said that Israel will take all the necessary measures in order to ensure the security on the Temple Mount without changes in the status quo,” it said.
Arrest
Following the closure of the mosque, Israeli security forces detained Jerusalem’s top Islamic cleric as crowds gathered in the Old City, the cleric’s son said.
The grand mufti of Jerusalem Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, the city’s highest Islamic authority, had earlier gathered in the Old City with others and condemned the closure of the Al-Aqsa mosque for prayers after the attack.
Israeli police said they had no comment.
Hussein’s son Jihad Hussein told AFP his father had been taken to a police station near the Old City.
“Until now, we don’t know what is going on with my father,” he said.
One of the mufti’s bodyguards, Khaled Hamo, said police “entered the crowd and took the mufti.”
Hussein had earlier condemned the closure of the mosque compound for prayers.
“I have very little information about it, but it doesn’t mean you should close the mosque for prayers,” he told journalists at the Lions Gate entrance to the Old City, near the holy site.
Hussein was detained at the Lions Gate, the bodyguard said.
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If it passes, then imagine when it gets to the stage where if you’re 40 years of age, you’ll be able to buy cigarettes, but someone aged 39 won’t be allowed to! Will you have to produce your birth cert when purchasing? It’s going to be impossible to enforce. Even New Zealand, where the idea originated, eventually accepted this and scrapped the legislation…
@William Tallon:
@William Tallon: Impossible to enforce? You produce ID to prove your age, similar to what happens today to prove you’re over 18. Pubs and bars in America still require ID to enter the premises, even if you’re middle aged. It’s not as crazy a suggestion as you’re making out
@Jason Memail: Errr… Yes, it is crazy! I doubt if anyone in the future is seriously going to be asking a grown adult in their 30s, 40s, or 50s for evidence of their year of birth when they’re looking to purchase cigarettes. It’s totally unworkable, and I suspect, will end up being totally ignored over time by both members of the public and the retail sector. That, of course, is assuming the government ever actually brings it into force, something which I think is highly unlikely…
Hey kids! Want to pay a small fortune to faceless multinational corporations and the taxman and get nothing in return? Start smoking! Apparently it’s rebellious…
@Ronan Mc: very good
Some of the aul pipe tobaccos had wonderful aromas. Does anyone remember Balkan Sobraine ?
Proper order
No place anymore for the filthy smokes they stink to high heaven.
@Sean Money: Let’s ban drugs too.
@Roy Dowling: well they make you sick and are very smelly. Surely a ban is correct.
My grandmother died, I don’t need another nanny!
Sounds good, but ya would wonder…I don’t smoke or drink, so don’t pay a stupid tax…
People should have the right to smoke, drink,eat fatty food, drink coke etc etc…
But don’t expect me to feel sorry for you when you phone Joe duffy giving out about the health service, while you yourself are clogging it up with self inflicted problems…
Give up smokes and get decent health insurance…52 x 60 euro on pigs would get one he’ll of cover
@hi from heaven: but why inflict the longer waiting list on people who dont smoke. Surely trying to get rid of smoking in its entirety would benefit the health system. I’m pretty sure the tax paid by smokers isn’t comparable to the money it costs to treat long term smoker related diseases
@Roy Dowling: well while we’re at it…….
@Roy Dowling: Why not, prohibition has proved so effective?!! Such shite coming from our governors now it’s so bloody transparent. They take us for fools and we let them, nay re-elect them. It’s on us that they lie so easily, we let them!
@Roy Dowling: It hardly makes sense to suggest banning anything “to benefit the health system”. There’s no provision to ring fence any funds for healthcare and zero guarantee that this is anyone’s priority. It’s an excuse that can only boost gangland profiteering. If alcohol in excess is as dangerous as you imagine, none of those alcoholics will live to claim their pensions. They’re not causing medical staff to protest about working conditions to the point of leaving Ireland. People need treatment and help, not scapegoating.
@Paul Conlon: the tax may or may not cover it, but don’t forget it is usually the lower paid people who smoke and definitely less likely to give them up as an adult..
So alot of money is saved through these people dying younger as they would be a total burden on health care, housing and pensions that would have to be provided by the state..
@hi from heaven:
You won’t be going anywhere near heaven with a comment like that. Poor people are a burden ?
@hi from heaven: do the world a favour and STFU!
I don’t drink or smoke, but I drink loads of coffee. I am forever being told by doctors to cut down, as I have sleep issues. But I don’t want it banned – coffee shops are my life!
What the fk is going on with our governors, is there an election soon?
@Chutes: Are you in a prison that you keep squawking about “our governors”? This article is about the UK for a start. Different jurisdiction.
Criminal gangs/black market operators in the UK must be rubbing their hands at this proposal. Yet another potential revenue stream for them to exploit.
Education around the dangers of smoking should be the focus not implementing a futile ban on the sales of cigarettes. Historically, prohibition has been shown to fail in it’s objectives and I don’t expect this ban will be any different.
@Conrad Stapletwin: Good to hear that someone is moderate and reasonable. Of course gangs are going to profit from prohibition.
While I applaud the sentiment, health and such benefits, I would worry about the trend and what may come next.
No fat/sugar products to be sold to overweight/fat/obese consumers?
If we let governments decide rather than taking personal responsibilities then we’re signing choice making freedoms away.
Not sure where it will stop but am worried about where it starts.
Ever thought that as a parent you have no control over school meals.
While this can be a blessing for some kids, I would not allow it for my children.
Smoking weed included?
@Fintan Stack: Weed doesn’t need to be smoked to be consumed/enjoyed. Vapes have completely removed the need for burning harmful carcinogens when consuming cannabis.
Didn’t realise it was overturned in New Zealand. Probably was a good idea to begin with. It’s like George Orwellian versus the cancer industry .. tobacco lobby is EVIL ENOUH SAID
Again if you ban something, it should be for everyone
@Dominic Leleu: Rationing might be a more balanced response. Even in US States where alcohol was frowned on for various reasons – and not all good reasons either – a normal amount was still available for those who chose to drink etc. Legally.
If only the UK could ban Tories.
Anyone who breaks this law should be burnt at the stake!
have your say