Dozens injured in East Jerusalem clashes

JERUSALEM (AA) - Dozens were injured in clashes with Israeli forces Thursday in East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

“Thirty-six people were injured by rubber bullets in clashes that erupted at the Lions' Gate [Bab al-Asbat] in the old city of East Jerusalem,” the Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement.

“The injured were transferred to hospitals for treatment, including two in critical condition after they were struck in the chest,” it added.

"Among the injured were two Turkish citizens," it said. "They were transferred to Al-Makassed Hospital for treatment."

"One of them was injured by a rubber bullet in the neck while the other [was hurt] in his leg," it said.

Palestinians had been staging a demonstration against new Israeli security measures restricting access to Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Protests began Sunday after the mosque's leadership called on worshippers to boycott new metal detectors installed at the site's entrances after a deadly shootout last week.

These new security measures have led to a wave of anger among Palestinians, who called for the immediate removal of the metal detectors.

Israel has defended the controversial moves, claiming they were no different from security measures at other holy sites around the world.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East War. It later annexed the city in 1980, claiming all of Jerusalem as the Jewish state’s "eternal" capital -- a move never recognized by the international community.

Sacred to Muslims, Jews, and Christians, Jerusalem is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which for Muslims represents the world's third holiest site.