JERUSALEM – US ‘deeply concerned’ over international conflict

The United States has expressed “deep concern” over the injuries of more than 150 Palestinians in clashes with Israeli police in mosques in Jerusalem on Friday.

“We urge all parties to exercise restraint to avoid provocation and rhetoric,” State Department spokeswoman Nate Price said in a statement.

“We urge the Palestinian and Israeli authorities to work together to defuse tensions and ensure the security of all.”

The clashes began early Friday morning when several Palestinians hurled stones and Israeli security forces retaliated with rubber bullets and stun grenades at protesters.

Dozens of young Hooligans carrying the flag of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, some “started a procession on the mosque Esplanade” and threw stones at the west wall, Israeli police said.

The clashes in Esplanade are being recorded for the first time this year during the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting and prayer for thousands of Palestinian Muslims to come to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam.

The Esplanade of Mosques is located in the old city of Jerusalem, east of the city, an area occupied by Israel since 1967 and claimed by the Palestinians as the capital of the future state.