A top aide to US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday in a bid to ease tensions over new security measures at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site after a week of deadly violence. Jason Greenblatt’s visit comes after more than a week of tensions over the Haram al Sharif mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Greenblatt was holding a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with US envoy to Israel David Friedman, an Israeli official said.
Israel installed metal detectors at entrances to the site, which includes Al Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, following an attack on July 14 that killed two policemen.
Palestinians view the move as Israel asserting further control over the site.
They have refused to enter the compound in protest and have prayed on the streets outside.
Clashes have broken out during protests over the measures, leaving five Palestinians dead.
An incident on Sunday night in Amman that, according to Israeli officials, saw a Jordanian attack an Israeli security guard with a screwdriver at the Israeli embassy compound raised further concerns.
The motives for the alleged attack were unclear.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
