http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=126820&d=28&m=9&y=2009&pix=world.jpg&category=World
"The group attacked at the mosque compound was in fact a group of non-Jewish French tourists who visited it as part of their trip," said Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben Ruby.
"There was a large group of Jewish settlers who gathered outside Al-Aqsa and tried to break in," said Abu Raed, a Palestinian witness. "Some of them entered and went all the way to the heart of the compound, where there were people praying ... They were Jewish settlers dressed as tourists," he said. After entering the sprawling compound, the group was confronted by about 150 Muslims who raised slogans, police and witnesses said.
Police later blocked off the compound as speakers from mosques in the Old City urged people to gather at the site to protest.
Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, slammed the "dangerous escalation" and called for protests. "The occupation bears full responsibility for all the consequences and developments that will follow from this crime," it said.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound is the third holiest site in Islam and has often been the flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian violence. The second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, erupted there after former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made a provocative visit in September 2000.



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