OCCUPIED JERUSALEM – Israeli police arrested 16 Palestinians at one of Jerusalem's most revered and politically sensitive holy sites on Sunday as they dispersed protesters opposed to any Jewish attempts to pray there. A police spokesman said officers used stun grenades to disperse dozens of Palestinians. Two officers were slightly injured and treated at the scene in the brief clash, the spokesman added. Five Palestinians were also slightly hurt, a Muslim clergyman said. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the plaza near the Al-Aqsa mosque had remained open to visitors during the clash, which was confined to a small area. Tensions at the site run high during Jewish holidays – Jews are currently celebrating Passover – when Palestinians oppose having Jews try to pray on the compound. Another eight Palestinian protesters were arrested following a disturbance at the holy site on Friday, Rosenfeld added. Police routinely escort foreign and Israeli visitors to the compound and intervene if they make any attempt to hold prayers there. – Reuters
