Prometheus 6

Protesters and Israeli Police Clash at Mosque
By GREG MYRE

JERUSALEM, Feb. 9 — Israeli troops charged onto the grounds of Jerusalem’s most contentious religious site today, firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who were protesting Israeli excavation work taking place just outside the hilltop shrine.

The confrontation took place immediately after midday prayers on the Muslim Sabbath. Palestinians have been protesting for four days against the digging next to the mosque compound, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount.