Palestinians dismiss Israel's plan for cameras in al-Aqsa mosque

Binyamin Netanyahu has said he hopes an agreement to maintain the status quo on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem will reduce tensions that have triggered serious violence in recent weeks, but Palestinian leaders quickly dismissed a plan to install security cameras in the al-Aqsa mosque.
The Israeli prime minister told cabinet colleagues on Sunday that a statement agreed with the US and Jordan affirmed that there would be no changes to long-standing rules about access for Jews to the ever sensitive religious compound - al-Haram al-Sharif for Muslims and Har HaBayit for Jews - in occupied East Jerusalem.
Fifty-two Palestinians and nine Israelis have been killed since the current wave of violence erupted on 1 October, feeding speculation as to whether a new intifada was under way. There were further violent incidents on Sunday.

Jerusalem violence: ‘I’m selling peace, but nobody’s buying’ “There will be no change to the prayer arrangements for Muslims and procedures for Jews to visit will be maintained,” Netanyahu said, adding that the post-1967 status quo had been preserved. Palestinians complain bitterly, however, about what they see as provocative visits by Israeli Jews, including right-wing ministers and MPs.
Netanyahu said Israel “has an interest in cameras being deployed everywhere on the Temple Mount” to refute claims that it is changing the status quo. Stone-throwing often takes place on the surrounding plaza, triggering closures by Israeli security forces.
Jordan, which has formal responsibility for Jerusalem’s Muslim holy places, welcomed the statement issued on Saturday night. John Kerry, the US secretary of state, called the installation of cameras an excellent suggestion.
Riyad al-Malki, the Palestinian foreign minister, told the Voice of Palestine that the plan was a trap, because Israel would use video footage to arrest Muslim worshippers it claims are inciting against it. Ahmed Tibi, an Israeli Arab MP, said Kerry’s intervention was disappointing.

John Kerry 'cautiously optimistic' about defusing spate of Israel violence

Moshe Yaalon, Israel’s defence minister, said the country had responded to a request from King Abdullah II, custodian of Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel. “It will calm things down and prove that we are not changing the status quo,” he told Israel Radio. “Jews will continue to visit but not to pray.”
Palestinians are also angry about what they see as Israeli police and soldiers’ excessive use of force. Israel insists it is justified in using lethal force to meet deadly threats, and blames attacks on Palestinian incitement, while acknowledging that much of that takes place on social media.
Kerry said round-the-clock video surveillance could be a game-changer in maintaining the sanctity of the al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in the Muslim world. Palestinians retorted that he was ignoring the fundamental problem.
Tibi said: “The problem is not video cameras in al-Aqsa, but 24/7 free entrance to all Muslims. This is the promise that Netanyahu should give.” Saeb Erekat, the PLO secretary general, said that Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, had told Kerry “that he should look into the roots of the problem, and that is the continued occupation”.

Kerry’s intervention represents the first international effort to contain the latest unrest, which poses a political dilemma for the unpopular Abbas, who fears further escalation but has nothing to show for his policy of cooperation with Israel. Hamas, the PLO’s Gaza-based Islamist rival, has already proclaimed a new intifada.
Given, however, that much of the violence is the work of young Palestinians without any organisational affiliation, “it is hard to know whether even an agreed-upon declaration by all sides would necessarily stop all incidents,” Amos Harel wrote in the Haaretz newspaper.
In incidents on Sunday an Israeli was stabbed near Gush Etzion, a West Bank settlement, after his car was stoned by Palestinians who were reportedly disguised as orthodox Jews. Another Palestinian was arrested on a bus near Tiberias after he was found with a Jewish skullcap. Unknown assailants attacked Mustafa Barghouti, the leader of the Palestinian National Initiative.
In Hebron, Israeli media reported a Palestinian woman shot dead after brandishing a knife at border policemen.
Further trouble seems likely, with talk of a “day of rage” on Tuesday and strikes by students at Bir Zeit university near Ramallah, but the sudden onset of rainy weather may help to calm the febrile mood.

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