Foreign Policy
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A Flashpoint in Jerusalem
October 28, 2009 - 2:40 PM | by: Reena NinanThe early morning sound of helicopters over the Old City of Jerusalem was the first sign that something was wrong. The din of the rotors continued throughout the morning. On the ground near the Temple Mount--a holy site for both Jews and Muslims--a small handful of Palestinian youths were throwing stones, broken concrete blocks, and shaken bottles of soda water.
Their target: Israeli soldiers outfitted in riot gear. Not all the projectiles reached their intended targets. As an Australian news reporter looked on, a chunk of concrete struck her in the jaw. She lost several teeth and blood gushed down her face before she was whisked away to the hospital. The youths were told by local Muslim clerics to take to the Temple Mount to defend it from what one called "Jewish conquest." Extremist Jewish groups were also rallying support to gather at the same spot.
With stalled peace talks going nowhere, many are wondering if Jerusalem could be the next flashpoint for violence. Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders refuse to sit down and begin negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is said to be planning a trip to Jerusalem this weekend. If she comes, it's not clear exactly what her mission will be. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell has made several trips to the region, but hasn't been able to move either side. It has now been three days since the clashes in the Old City. The streets are back to normal. But many in the region have real concerns about the Obama Administration's Plan B. With little hope on either side, the next time the stones start flying in Jerusalem, there's a good chance that the tensions here could finally boil over.
And so, nine years after Ariel Sharon, then head of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, went to the top of the Temple Mount—a move that launched the second Palestinian uprising, some diplomats believe the ground is prepared for the third one to take off.
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