Syria accuses Israel of trying to destroy Al-Aksa Mosque

Syria’s Foreign Ministry has accused Israel of a “scheme to Judaize Jerusalem and destroy the Al-Aksa Mosque”. An official was quoted by the official state news agency as praising the "steadfast defenders" of the site, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews. The statement by Damascus came a day after Arab rioters attacked Israeli police officers with stones, firebombs and oil on Temple Mount. Officers stormed the mount carrying glass shields for protection, but did not enter the mosques.

The violence followed repeated calls by Muslim leaders appealing to Arabs to come protect Jerusalem and the Temple Mount from "Jewish conquest." On Sunday, Jordan's minister for media affairs and communication, Nabil Sharif, warned Israel that "provocative behavior" by Israeli troops and "Jewish extremists" could "derail all opportunities of peace and stability in the region."