26 injured in holy Jerusalem site clash
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Twenty-six people were lightly injured during Israeli police and Palestinian protestors clashed on Sunday morning at the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, local news service Ynet reported on its website.
Among the 26 injured, nine are Israeli policemen and the rest 17 are Palestinian worshippers, said the report, adding that following the clash, the police prevented worshippers from entering the compound and five people were arrested on suspicion of hurling stones.
The incident took place when a group of Jewish tourists entered the Temple Mount, said Ynet, adding that some 150 worshippers started gathering around them and calling out towards them.
Some of the worshippers began throwing stones at the group. The police force fired stun grenades in an attempt to gain control of the clash, and nine policemen were lightly injured by stones.
Fifteen worshippers were lightly injured by stones and two were lightly wounded by the stun grenades, said the report, adding that adult worshippers attempted to calm things down while the group of Jewish tourists was removed from the site.
Deadly violence erupted several times in the past at the Temple Mount compound, which is holy to both Jews and Muslims.
Israeli defense establishment has declared a heightened state of alert across the country ahead of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. On Saturday evening, a closure was imposed on the West Bank until Monday at midnight.
(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2009)
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