Dear Friends,

Ariel Sharon has been saying he would visit the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount for days now. Despite pleas from some Israeli leaders and most Palestinian leaders for him to reconsider such an action, Sharon went anyway. Seemingly, the Likud party justified the action by saying that Israel has sovereignty over this space, and therefore there was no reason for him not to go.

With the current sensitivities over the holy spaces in relationship to the on-going negotiations about Jerusalem, I have to ask if this was anything other than a blatant attempt to underline who has the power here and to call attention that it is truly power (sovereignty) 'over.' Can this be seen as anything other than an attempt to demonstrate, rather arrogantly, that one does not respect the claims or viewpoint of others - either of your own people or of 'outsiders?'

Everyone who criticized this move - whether Israeli or Palestinian - said it was nothing short of provocative and politically motivated. The timing and intension could only be viewed negatively.

Below is a part of the report which was distributed by LAW this afternoon concerning the immediate aftermath of Sharon's attempted visit. As all too often happens, a non-violent protest by Palestinians ended up with numerous people seriously injured (so far, all Palestinians...) Watch for reports of this. Be mindful of how it is presented. Write letters, raising concerns over Sharon's actions. Pray for calm. Pray for healing for the wounded. Pray for a land torn asunder...

Salaam, Peace, Shalom
Sandra Olewine
United Methodist Liaison, Jerusalem

28 September, 2000

Today, 28 September 2000, the Likud opposition leader, Ariel Sharon, made a provoking visit to the Al Aqsa Mosque in the early hours of the morning. The visit was made under maximum security as hundreds of Israeli occupation forces were deployed to prevent any clashes with Palestinians. The visit was seen as provocative especially as Palestinians commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila Massacre, which was orchestrated by Ariel Sharon, Minister of Defense at the time. It also coincides with the anniversary of the massacre at the Al Aqsa when Palestinians clashed with the occupation forces that killed tens.

The visit was made at 7:45 in the morning. Sharon tried to make his way to the Al Marwani Mosque where an estimated 200 Palestinians squatted to deny him entry. Israeli occupation forces forced their way through by using batons and rifles. Among the squatters were Arab members of the Israeli Parliament, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council and a number of dignitaries and political activists. During the clashes, three members were beaten and injured; Ahmad Saed, Ahmad al-Tibi and Abed al Malek Dahamshe in addition to Faisal Husseini, the Palestinian official in charge of the Jerusalem affairs.

The occupation forces failed to break through the human chain around the small mosque and managed to force Sharon and his team out of the premises. However, an estimated 1000 Israeli soldiers and policemen took to the roofs of the adjacent houses and shot rubber bullets and gas bombs at the peaceful protestors injuring 24 Palestinians; 4 were hit by rubber bullets, the rest sustained various injuries due to the beatings. 7 employees of the Religious Endowments department were also hit, 6 children and 3 elderly people.

LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection for Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organization dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy.

LAW is affiliate to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), The Federation Internationale des Ligues de Droits de l'Homme (FIDH), The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), and is a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN)

LAW
PO Box 20873
Jerusalem
Tel: 00 972 2 583 3428/3298/3537/3530/3430
Fax: 00 972 2 583 3317
Email: law@lawsociety.org
Website: www.lawsociety.org

Letter from the Rev. Sandra Olewine, United Methodist Liaison - Jerusalem, 10/12/2000