Palesinian protesters clash with Israeli forces against shrine excavations

Source: CCTV.com | 02-13-2007 15:46

Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli forces in Hebron during a protest over excavations at a shrine in Jerusalem.

Clashes erupted as several thousands Palestinians took to the streets in Hebron to protest Israeli excavations near al-Aqsa mosque Islam's third holiest shrine.

Israeli troops opened fire and threw stun grenades to disperse the crowd as Palestinians hurled stones at the forces. The mayor of Jerusalem says they've decided to postpone the controversial construction, to allow for public discussions to address Muslim leaders' concerns. This decision will not affect salvage work being done at the site.

Muslim leaders and Arab states have asked Israel to halt the work saying it could undermine the foundations at al-Aqsa. Israel says holy places will not be harmed by the construction of a pedestrian bridge leading to the mosque.

Editor:Du Xiaodan