Wednesday, September 23, 2015

On the 2d day of Yom Kippur, Israeli forces escort a number of right-wing Jewish activists around Haram al-Sharif. The group attempts to perform Jewish rites in commemoration of the holiday, but they are blocked by Islamic Waqf guards. All Palestinian men under the age of 40 are barred from the sanctuary and all but 3 entrances are closed for the 2d day in a row. (HA, MNA, WAFA 9/23; PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians march through c. Hebron for the funeral of the Palestinian woman who was killed by the IDF on 9/22, and clashes ensue between stone-throwing youths and Israeli forces. Late at night, Palestinians throw firebombs at an Israeli settlement nr. Ramallah, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 12 Palestinians on late-night raids in Sur al-Bahir and Ras al-Amud. Meanwhile, Jewish Israeli youths throw stones at a Palestinian boy, causing minor injuries, and separately at Palestinian cars in s. Jerusalem. Unknown assailants throw a firebomb at a Jewish family’s home in Abu Tor, causing damage. On Gaza’s border e. of Jabaliya r.c., Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel for work. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/23; MNA, TOI 9/24; PCHR 10/1)

Israel’s Defense Ministry announces the easing of additional restrictions on Palestinian movement and access during the Muslim holiday ‘Id al-Adha, supplementing the restrictions announced on 9/21: border crossings hours will be extended; married men older than 45 and married women older than 30 from the West Bank will be allowed to pray at Haram al-Sharif on 9/24 and 9/25. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 9/24)