Shooting dead of Palestinian sparks fears of uprising

There were fierce clashes in East Jerusalem and fears of a new Palestinian uprising after Israeli police shot dead a 32-year-old Palestinian man suspected of having tried hours earlier to kill a far-right Jewish activist.

The Al-Aqsa compound, or Temple Mount, which is a central cause of the latest violence, was shut down to all visitors as a security precaution. It was the first full closure of the site, venerated by both Jews and Muslims, in 14 years.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced Israel’s actions as “tantamount to a declaration of war” and his Fatah party called for a “day of rage” today. It was not clear if Al Aqsa would be opened to Muslims on their holy day.