Israel PM blames Palestinian 'extremists' for Jerusalem clashes

[Jefferson23]

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday blamed "Palestinian extremists" for clashes at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, denying Israel was behind mounting tensions at the site.

"Israel is committed to maintaining the status quo exactly as it's been for many decades. What we're seeing is Palestinian extremists who are instigating violence through incitement," he said in the presence of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Earlier in the day Ban said he was "deeply concerned by repeated provocations at the holy sites in Jerusalem," which "inflame tensions and must stop."

The UN chief's remarks came hours after clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters demonstrating against right-wing Jews going to the esplanade, which is holy to both Islam and Judaism.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=733017

[Scootaloo]

1. "Israel is committed to maintaining the status quo exactly as it's been for many decades"

File this under "Shit we already knew"