View source for 2022 Al-Aqsa clashes

{{Short description|Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}
{{pp-30-500|small=yes}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2022 Al-Aqsa clashes
| partof = the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
| image = Temple Mount (Aerial view, 2007) 05.jpg
| caption = The [[Al-Aqsa|Al-Aqsa compound]], also known as the Temple Mount, where the clashes occurred
| date = 15 April 2022<br />({{days ago|2022|April|15}})
| place = [[Al-Aqsa Mosque compound]], [[Jerusalem]]
| goals =
| methods =
| causes = *Palestinian concerns over the [[Status Quo (Holy Esplanade)|status quo]] at Al-Aqsa<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/22/world/middleeast/israel-palestinians-aqsa-temple-mount.html|title=A Site Holy to Jews and Muslims Returns as the Nexus of Conflict|first=Patrick|last=Kingsley| newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 22, 2022|quote=For months, the Israeli police protected Jewish worshipers at the site, breaking a decades-old understanding, aimed at preventing conflict, that allowed Jews to visit but not worship there. That change has created the impression among Palestinians that Israel is trying to unilaterally change the delicate status quo, and further undermine Muslim access to and oversight of one of the most sacred places in Islam.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/middleeast/jerusalem-violence-intl/index.html|title=Jerusalem on edge as violence flares at key holy site|author=Andrew Carey, Abeer Salman, Hadas Gold, Amir Tal and Michael Schwartz|website=CNN|date=15 April 2022 }}</ref>
* Palestinians throwing stones at Israeli police<ref name = "NYTCalm">{{cite web | title=Jerusalem Calms After Israeli-Palestinian Clashes at Holy Site | website=The New York Times | date=2022-04-15 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/15/world/jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque | ref={{sfnref | The New York Times | 2022}} | access-date=2022-04-22}}</ref>
| result =
| side1 = *{{flagicon image|Flag of the Israel Police.svg}} [[Israel Police]]
| side2 = *Palestinians in the [[Al-Aqsa|Al-Aqsa Mosque compound]]
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 =
| units1 =
| howmany1 =
| howmany2 =
| casualties1 = 3 police officers injured<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=2022-04-15 |title=Jerusalem: Over 150 hurt in clashes at al-Aqsa Mosque compound |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61105497 |access-date=2022-04-16}}</ref>
| casualties2 = {{ubl|
* 1 Palestinian civilian killed by rubber bullet, 200+ injured<ref>{{cite web |author1=((MEE Staff)) |title=Palestinian dies from wounds sustained in Israeli raid at al-Aqsa Mosque |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-dies-wounds-raid-al-aqsa-mosque |website=Middle East Eye |date=14 May 2022}}</ref>
* 400 arrested}}
| casualties3 =
| campaignbox =
}}

On 15 April 2022, clashes erupted between [[Palestinians]] and [[Israeli security forces|Israeli Security Forces]] on the [[Al-Aqsa|Al-Aqsa compound]] in the [[Old City (Jerusalem)|Old City]] of [[Jerusalem]]. According to the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, the clashes began when Palestinians threw stones, firecrackers, and other heavy objects at Israeli police officers. The policemen used [[tear gas]] shells, [[stun grenade]]s and [[Baton (law enforcement)|police batons]] against the Palestinians.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Tor Wennesland Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Briefing to the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East, 25 April 2022 - occupied Palestinian territory |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/tor-wennesland-special-coordinator-middle-east-peace-process-8 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 April 2022 |title=Jerusalem clashes destabilising for Israel and Palestine |url=http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=832038866&Country=Israel&topic=Politics&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=International+relations |publisher=[[The Economist Group]] |quote=On both days, however, Israeli police stormed Al Aqsa in order to stop stone‑throwing and make arrests, crossing what many Palestinians regard as a red line.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Abdulrahim |first2=Raja |date=April 17, 2022 |title=Israeli Government Crisis Deepens After Closing of Major Mosque |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/17/world/middleeast/jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque.html |quote=The clashes on Sunday followed a more intense incident on Friday, when Israeli riot police officers, firing rubber-tipped bullets and stun grenades, stormed the main mosque in the compound to detain hundreds of Palestinians, many of whom had been throwing stones at them.}}</ref> Some Palestinians afterwards barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque and proceeded to throw stones at the officers.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> In response, police raided the mosque, arresting those who had barricaded themselves inside. In addition, some damage was done to the mosque's structure.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Abdulrahim |first2=Raja |date=2022-04-15 |title=Clashes Erupt at Jerusalem Holy Site on Day With Overlapping Holidays |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/15/world/jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque |access-date=2022-04-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="AlArabiya1">{{Cite web |date=15 April 2022 |title=Clashes erupt at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque, at least 152 injured |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2022/04/15/Clashes-erupt-at-Jerusalem-s-al-Aqsa-mosque-at-least-59-injured |publisher=[[Al Arabiya]]}}</ref>

Over the course of the clashes, around 160 Palestinians were injured, including a [[Jerusalem Waqf|Waqf guard]] shot in the eye with a rubber bullet,<ref name="AlArabiya1" /> 4 women, 27 children, and one journalist. Approximately 400 people were arrested; the majority of them were released later that day.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |last2=Boxerman |first2=Aaron |last3=staff |first3=T. O. I. |title=Over 150 injured, 400 arrested as Palestinians clash with cops on Temple Mount |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-on-edge-clashes-break-out-between-police-and-palestinians-at-al-aqsa/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Three Israeli police officers were also wounded.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="auto1" /> Concerns were raised about possible excessive use of force by Israeli forces.<ref name=":3" />

The break-in into the mosque caused a stir among the Palestinian public, and many reactions among the international community.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> The clashes were reported in the Arabic-speaking media as a storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque,<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chughtai |first=Dalia Hatuqa, Alia |title=Timeline: Al-Aqsa raids, closures and restrictions |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/20/timeline-raids-closures-and-restrictions-on-al-aqsa |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> while Israeli authorities and media often use the term riots to refer to these events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Palestinians skirmish with police in latest riots on Temple Mount |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-skirmish-with-police-in-latest-morning-riots-on-temple-mount/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Violent Clashes Erupt at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Last Friday of Ramadan |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/thousands-of-israeli-police-deploy-on-temple-mount-for-last-friday-of-ramadan-1.10769427 |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>

Additional skirmishes, though more restricted, occurred in the days that followed at the Holy Sites and in and around the Old City.<ref name=":3" />

== Background ==
On 14 April, ''Al-Jazeera'' reported an increased likelihood of another Israeli-Palestinian confrontation due to increasing tensions in Israel and the [[Palestinian territories|Palestinian Territories]].<ref name= "AJ1">{{Cite web |last=Tahhan |first=Maram Humaid, Zena Al |title='Ripe for explosion': Israel-Palestine tensions rise in Ramadan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/14/fear-violence-israeli-palestinian-tensions-rise-ramadan |website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> In March and April 2022, Palestinians and Israeli Arabs carried out a series of violent attacks that led to the death of 17 Israelis, making it the deadliest period since 2006.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |date=5 May 2022 |title=Elad attack: Three dead in central Israeli city |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61339751 |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506015117/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61339751 |archive-date=6 May 2022}}</ref> A United Nations agency estimated Israeli forces have killed at least 40 Palestinians since February, when tensions started to rise.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/30/israeli-and-palestinian-killed-in-separate-west-bank-shootings|title=Israeli and Palestinian killed in separate West Bank shootings|date=April 30, 2022|website=the Guardian}}</ref>

The [[Temple Mount]] in Jerusalem is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. It is considered the holiest site in Judaism, as it was the location of two [[Temple in Jerusalem|Jewish temples]] in antiquity. For Muslims, the Mount is the site of the third sacred mosque in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque. While the site has been controlled by [[Israel]] since 1967, it is administered by the [[Jerusalem Islamic Waqf]] under the [[Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem holy sites|custodianship of Jordan]]. Some Palestinians believe that Israel is trying to change the [[Status Quo (Holy Esplanade)|status quo]] in [[Temple Mount entry restrictions|various ways]], for example, by allowing Jews to pray in the Temple Mount.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{Cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Rasgon |first2=Adam |date=August 24, 2021 |title=In Shift, Israel Quietly Allows Jewish Prayer on Temple Mount |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/24/world/middleeast/israel-temple-mount-prayer.html}}</ref><ref name="Kingsley">{{Cite news |last=Kingsley |first=Patrick |date=April 22, 2022 |title=A Site Holy to Jews and Muslims Returns as the Nexus of Conflict |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/22/world/middleeast/israel-palestinians-aqsa-temple-mount.html}}</ref><ref name="auto2" /> For them, Israel has broken a decades-old understanding<ref name="nytimes.com" /> that allowed Jews to visit but not worship there.<ref name="Kingsley" />

Shortly before the incident, a Jewish extremist religious group called ''Returning to the Mount'' announced that it intended to perform [[Passover sacrifice]]s on the [[Temple Mount]] during the Jewish holiday of [[Passover]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Andrew Carey, Abeer Salman, Hadas Gold, Amir Tal and Michael Schwartz |title=Jerusalem on edge as violence flares at key holy site |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/middleeast/jerusalem-violence-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=CNN|date=15 April 2022 }}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/15/israeli-forces-raid-al-aqsa-mosque-over-50-palestinians-injured|title=Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa Mosque, over 90 Palestinians injured|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> On 14 April six members were arrested planning to sacrifice a goat on the Temple Mount.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Six extremist Jews arrested for planning animal sacrifice atop Temple Mount |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/four-extremist-jews-arrested-for-planning-animal-sacrifice-atop-temple-mount/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Rumours had been circulating on [[social media]] that Jewish hard-liners were planning to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the weekend.<ref name="auto2"/>

During the Muslim holy month of [[Ramadan]] the year before, nighttime demonstrations about [[Sheikh Jarrah controversy|evictions in Jerusalem]] and raids at the Al-Aqsa compound led, four days later, to an [[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis|11-day confrontation]] between Israel and Gaza.<ref name = AJ1 />

== Events ==
According to the Israeli police, Palestinian protesters began marching at around 4:00 AM with [[Flag of Palestine|Palestinian]] and [[Hamas]] flags in the location around the mosque. Police statements indicate that the protests turned violent as demonstrators threw rocks at the [[Western Wall]] and lit [[firecracker]]s,<ref name=":0" /> which police responded to by using [[tear gas]] and [[stun grenade]]s against the crowd.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Andrew Carey, Abeer Salman, Hadas Gold, Amir Tal and Michael Schwartz |title=Jerusalem on edge as violence flares at key holy site |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/middleeast/jerusalem-violence-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=CNN|date=15 April 2022 }}</ref> The protesters are then said to have attacked police officers with stones, injuring three.<ref name=":0" /> The fighting was reported to have occurred near the [[Lions' Gate]].<ref name=":1" />

[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] reported that "a number of occupation soldiers climbed on the roofs of buildings surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque. They evacuated the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque and closed most of the doors leading to it".<ref name="auto" /> According to [[Ynet]] and [[Reuters]] news, "Police says forces entered the compound after the [[Ramadan]] morning prayer to break up a violent crowd that started rioting at the holy site and threw stones toward the nearby Jewish prayer space of the Western Wall; Police adds 3 officers lightly injured, as were 59 rioters."<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news  |agency=Reuters |date=2022-04-15 |title=Police forces, Palestinians clash at Temple Mount |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjwkryu4q |access-date=2022-04-24}}</ref>

Some of the Palestinians barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Gantz ends West Bank closure amid Temple Mount violence |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-704234 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Police said that Palestinians had been stockpiling stones and throwing them from the mosque.<ref name=":0" /> The ''New York Times'' stated that the confrontation started at about 5:30&nbsp;a.m.<ref name= NYTCalm />
Palestinians said that the Israeli officers entered the building just after the [[Muezzin]] announced the [[Adhan]], while police said that they had waited until after the prayers ended. Policemen evacuated worshippers from the mosque with [[police baton]]s<ref name="auto2"/> as stun grenades and firecrackers used in the clashes caused a massive plume of smoke to go off. Israeli police temporarily blocked the [[Damascus Gate]] and restricted other entrances to exclude young men while permitting women, older men and children.<ref name=":1" /> The police left six hours later and the mosque's routine went on without any incidents.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=At least 130 rioters remain detained after Friday's Temple Mount clashes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-130-rioters-remain-detained-after-fridays-temple-mount-clashes/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Palestine Red Crescent Society]] said 158 Palestinians had been injured, primarily by [[rubber bullet]]s, stun grenades, and [[Baton (law enforcement)|police baton]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-15 |title=Violence erupts between Palestinian protesters and Israeli riot police at Jerusalem holy site |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-16/al-aqsa-mosque-palestinians-detained-israeli-riot-police/100994998 |access-date=2022-04-16}}</ref> Roughly 470 people were detained by Israeli forces.<ref name=":2" /> On April 16, it was reported that 130 people were still imprisoned. Sixty-five minors were released with [[restraining orders]], and 200 detainees were let free after [[Questioning (law enforcement)|questioning]] by law enforcement.<ref name=":2" />

== Aftermath ==
On Friday evening, hundreds of [[Arab Israelis]] in [[Umm al-Fahm]] organized demonstrations to protest the Israeli incursion, some of which escalated into [[riots]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arab-Israelis arrested in riot over Temple Mount violence |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-704310 |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The same day, a Palestinian teenager stabbed and wounded a man in [[Haifa]]. The girl later admitted that she had done it in response to the storming of the mosque.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Suspect in Haifa terror stabbing said to be daughter of ex-Shin Bet informant |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/suspect-in-haifa-terror-stabbing-said-to-be-daughter-of-ex-shin-bet-informant/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=15-year-old Stabs Man in Northern Israel in Suspected Politically-motivated Attack |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/15-year-old-stabs-man-in-northern-israel-in-suspected-politically-motivated-attack-1.10744633 |access-date=2022-04-16}}</ref> [[Channel 12 (Israel)|Channel 12]] reported on April 16 that Egyptian authorities had convinced the Palestinian militant group [[Hamas]] not to fire rockets in response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Report: Egypt talked Hamas down from rocket fire after Temple Mount clashes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-egypt-talked-hamas-down-from-rocket-fire-after-temple-mount-clashes/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On April 17, further violence began when the police confined Muslims already inside the compound and denied access to Muslims who were still outside the site. Jews were given an armed police escort around the compound.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/17/world/middleeast/jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque.html|title=Israeli Government Crisis Deepens After Closing of Major Mosque|first1=Patrick|last1=Kingsley|first2=Raja|last2=Abdulrahim| newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 17, 2022}}</ref> Palestinians threw stones on three buses headed to the Western Wall. Seven passengers were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arab rioters stone buses en route to Western Wall |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-704375 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Jewish worshippers wearing prayer shawls were attacked in the [[Old City (Jerusalem)|Old City]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WATCH: Jewish worshippers attacked in Jerusalem's Old City |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-704397 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Police officers entered the Temple Mount again, saying that Palestinian crowds were trying to prevent non-Muslims from entering the Mount.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Palestinians hurl rocks at Old City buses; cops enter Temple Mount to prevent riots |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/meeting-resistance-cops-enter-temple-mount-to-thwart-obstruction-of-jewish-visitors/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Nine people were arrested and Palestinian medics said that 17 people were wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-17 |title=Clashes erupt again near flashpoint Jerusalem holy site |url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-religion-jerusalem-israel-arrests-03ebd01a1e69b177941165c1f3db7d75 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> A stabbing attempt in the [[Israeli settlement]] of [[Beit El]] was foiled by security forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Attempted terror stabbing thwarted in West Bank settlement |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/attempted-terror-stabbing-thwarted-in-west-bank-settlement/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[United Arab List]] (''Ra'am'') announced it would temporarily halt its [[Thirty-sixth government of Israel|coalition membership]] in the [[Cabinet of Israel|Government of Israel]] in protest against the situation at al-Aqsa.<ref name= "JP17">{{Cite web |title=Israeli forces given 'free hand' as clashes break out on Temple Mount |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-704366 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On April 15, UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement that provocations on the Holy Esplanade needed to cease and for the status quo to be upheld and respected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/provocations-jerusalem-s-holy-esplanade-must-stop-now|title=Provocations on Jerusalem's Holy Esplanade Must Stop Now, Secretary-General Says, Stressing Need to Respect, Uphold Status Quo at Holy Sites - occupied Palestinian territory &#124; ReliefWeb|website=reliefweb.int}}</ref> According to the U.S State department, US Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] and Jordanian Foreign Minister [[Ayman Safadi]] discussed the situation on 18 April and “Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of upholding the historic status quo at the Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount, and appreciation for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s special role as custodian of Muslim holy places in Jerusalem,” Jordan’s King Abdullah, speaking with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that “provocative acts” by Israel violated “the legal and historic status quo” of the Muslim holy shrines.<ref name= JP17 /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arab.news/mpdbm|title=US Blinken stresses importance of status quo at Jerusalem holy sites -statement|date=April 19, 2022|website=Arab News}}</ref>

On April 22,  Israeli police in full riot gear stormed the mosque after Palestinian stone throwing at a gate where they were stationed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/22/1094237785/israeli-police-storm-jerusalem-holy-site-after-rock-throwing|title=Israeli police storm Jerusalem holy site after rock-throwing|agency=Associated Press|date=April 22, 2022|website=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewed violence on Temple Mount following afternoon prayers |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-704830 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> According to police, rioters had hurled stones and launched firecrackers at officers at early morning and had also barricaded themselves in the mosque.<ref>{{Cite web |title=As Temple Mount riots continue, Hamas warns against Jews entering site |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-704773 |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Israeli police used a drone to fire tear gas into groups of Palestinians.<ref>{{cite web | title=Brief Bouts of Unrest Erupt After Jerusalem Friday Prayers | website=The New York Times | date=2022-04-22 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/22/world/jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque | ref={{sfnref | The New York Times | 2022}} | access-date=2022-04-22}}</ref> On 29 April, the last Friday of Ramadan, there were new clashes at the mosque [[Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in 2022|following the prior weeks of violence]] in Israel and the West Bank. 42 Palestinians were wounded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20220429-clashes-erupt-at-jerusalem-s-al-aqsa-mosque-on-final-friday-of-ramadan|title=Clashes erupt at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque on final Friday of Ramadan|date=April 29, 2022|website=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/29/dozens-injured-in-israeli-raid-on-al-aqsa-mosque-compound|title=Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa mosque, over 40 Palestinians injured|work=Al Jazeera|date=29 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Status quo ===
On May 8, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel will make its own decisions concerning Jerusalem and the Temple Mount after Ra’am party leader [[Mansour Abbas]] said "“Ra’am’s position in the coalition, as regards the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, will be based on the results of the joint Israeli-Jordanian-international meetings,”,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-there-wont-be-any-foreign-interference-in-decisions-regarding-temple-mount/|title=Bennett: There won't be any foreign interference in decisions regarding Temple Mount|first1=T. O. I.|last1=staff|first2=Aaron|last2=Boxerman|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> It was announced on May 10 President Biden is to meet Jordan's King Abdullah on May 13. Maintenance of the status quo at the Al-Aqsa mosque will be one topic of discussion. Israeli and Jordanian officials are expected to discuss the situation in Jerusalem in the near future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2022/05/10/jordan-king-abdullah-biden-white-house-meeting-jeruslaem|title=Jordan's King Abdullah to meet Biden at White House to discuss Jerusalem tensions|first=Barak|last=Ravid|date=May 10, 2022|website=Axios}}</ref>

==Reactions==
===Palestinian Authority===
[[Palestinian Authority]] Minister for Jerusalem Affairs [[Fadi al-Hadami]] strongly condemned the raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces. He blamed [[Israel]] for the actions and called on the international community to intervene immediately to stop Israeli actions against Muslim holy sites.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://urdu.alarabiya.net/middle-east/2022/04/15/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%81%D9%88%D8%AC-%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B5%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%B1-%D8%AF%DA%BE%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%8C-%D8%A2%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%88-%DA%AF%DB%8C%D8%B3-%DA%A9%DB%92-%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%DA%BA-%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84|title=اسرائیلی فوج کا مسجد اقصی پر دھاوا، نمازیوں پر سٹن گرینیڈز اور آنسو گیس کا استعمال|date=April 15, 2022|website=العربیہ اردو}}</ref>

[[Hussein al-Sheikh (politician)|Hussein al-Sheikh]], a senior [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] official, warned against alleged Israeli attempts to divide the Temple Mount between Muslims and Jews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian Authority warns Israel against 'dividing' Temple Mount |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-704415 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===International organizations===
The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, [[Tor Wennesland]], expressed his deep concern over what is happening in the city of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He said "I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating conditions in the city of Jerusalem during these holy days." The UN official demanded that the provocations at Al-Haram Al-Sharif be stopped immediately.<ref>[https://www.dostor.org/4059141 الأمم المتحدة تطالب بوقف استفزازات الاحتلال فى الأقصى], الدستور, published on 15 April 2022.</ref>

===Other countries===
In a joint statement, [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Italy]] and [[Spain]] called for respecting the current [[Status of Jerusalem|status]] of the holy sites in [[Jerusalem]] and also respecting [[Jordan]]'s role in these holy sites, and called "all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from violence and all forms of provocation."<ref>[https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/2022/04/15/قلق-أوروبي-من-تصاعد-العنف-في-القدس-ودعوات-لضبط-النفس قلق أوروبي من تصاعد العنف في القدس.. ودعوات لضبط النفس]، العربية.</ref>

[[Saudi Arabia]] expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli occupation forces storming Al-Aqsa Mosque and closing its gates, and attacking unarmed worshippers inside the mosque and in its external squares. It also considered "this systematic escalation is a blatant attack on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and a violation of international resolutions and covenants".<ref name=":8">[https://www.alarabiya.net/saudi-today/2022/04/15/السعودية-التصعيد-الاسرائيلي-اعتداء-صارخ-على-حرمة-المسجد-الأقصى- السعودية: التصعيد الإسرائيلي اعتداء صارخ على حرمة الأقصى]، العربية.</ref>

[[Kuwait]] expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli occupation forces' storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the attack on worshipers. It also considered "These attacks are a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of all international conventions and resolutions and a reason to fuel violence and undermine the stability of the region".<ref>[https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3035312 دولة الكويت تدين وتستنكر بشدة اقتحام قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي للمسجد الأقصى والاعتداء على المصلين]، كونا.</ref>

The spokesperson for the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Egypt)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] of [[Egypt]], Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, "condemned the Israeli forces’ storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the violence that followed this incursion against Palestinians in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque", which resulted in the injury and arrest of dozens of worshipers. He stressed, "the necessity of self-restraint and providing full protection for Muslim worshipers and allowing them to perform Islamic rites in Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a purely Islamic endowment for Muslims."<ref>[https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_publicaffairs/details/2022/4/15/2209001/الخارجية-تدين-اقتحام-القوات-الإسرائيلية-المسجد-الأقصى-الم-بارك الخارجية تدين اقتحام القوات الإسرائيلية المسجد الأقصى المُبارك]، مصراوي، published on 15 April 2022.</ref>

[[Iran]] strongly censured the Israeli occupation forces' storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque. [[Hossein Amir-Abdollahian]], the current foreign minister of Iran, stated this incident a sign of the resistance of the heroic and brave the Palestinian people and the desperation of the Zionists, during a phone call with [[Ismail Haniyeh]], Chief of Hamas's Political Bureau. Also, Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman called the Israeli forces' operations violated international law and human rights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iranian FM Strongly Condemns Desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010127000140/Iranian-FM-Srngly-Cndemns-Desecrain-f-Al-Asa-Mse |website=[[Fars News Agency]]}}</ref>

The storming was also condemned by [[Bahrain]], [[Morocco]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]], which had [[Abraham Accords|normalized relations]] with Israel two years before.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=UAE, Bahrain join condemnation of police actions during Temple Mount clashes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/uae-bahrain-join-condemnation-of-police-actions-amid-temple-mount-clashes/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2022-04-16 |title=Morocco condemns Israeli raid on Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/morocco-condemns-israeli-raid-jerusalems-al-aqsa-mosque-2022-04-16/ |access-date=2022-04-18}}</ref> On 24 April, leaders from Jordan, Egypt and UAE met to discuss restoring calm in Jerusalem.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/egypt-uae-jordan-discuss-al-aqsa-ukraine-meeting|title=Egypt, UAE, Jordan discuss Al-Aqsa, Ukraine in meeting|first=The New Arab|last=Staff|date=April 25, 2022|website=english.alaraby.co.uk/}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Temple Mount entry restrictions]]
* [[Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in 2022]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/20/timeline-raids-closures-and-restrictions-on-al-aqsa Timeline: Al-Aqsa raids, closures and restrictions]

{{Temple Mount}}
{{Israel-Palestinian Conflict|selected=Timeline}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Al-Aqsa clashes, 2022}}
[[Category:2022 crimes in the State of Palestine]]
[[Category:2022 in Jerusalem]]
[[Category:Attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2022]]
[[Category:Attacks in Asia in 2022]]
[[Category:2022 in Islam]]