Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict | |
Location | Jerusalem |
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Cause | 2017 Temple Mount shooting |
Outcome |
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The 2017 Temple Mount crisis[1][2][3] was a period of violent tensions related to the Temple Mount, which began on 14 July 2017, after a shooting incident in the complex in which Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli police officers. Following the attack, Israeli authorities installed metal detectors at the entrance to the Mount in a step that caused large Palestinian protests and was severely criticized by Palestinian leaders, the Arab League, and other Muslim leaders, on the basis that it constituted a change in the "status quo" of the Temple Mount entry restrictions.[4]
The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf called Muslims to pray outside the Temple Mount, and not enter the mosque complex until the metal detectors were removed.[5]
On 25 July the Israeli Cabinet voted to remove the metal detectors and replace them with other surveillance measures.[6] Nevertheless, Palestinian activists decided to continue protesting, claiming those cameras represent a greater degree of control than the metal detectors.[7] On 27 July, Israel removed the new security measures from the Mount, which led to the Waqf telling Muslims they could return to pray inside the compound.[8] 113 Palestinians were reportedly injured in clashes with police after thousands of Muslims returned to pray at Temple Mount.[9]
Within an 11-day period, eleven people had died due to the crisis.[10]