More than a week had gone by, amid rising violence, since a hawkish Israeli politician, Ariel Sharon, made a provocative visit to what Jews call the Temple Mount. Now rioting engulfed the knob of ground that is equally holy to Muslims, who call it the Noble Sanctuary. Standing at the edge of the mount, Arabs pelted a few Jews praying down below at the sacred Western Wall. Israeli police had pulled back from the mount in an attempt to cool passions. When Palestinian police and clergymen stopped the rock throwers, the protesters surged back across the compound and attacked an Israeli police station near the ancient Lion’s Gate.
French photographer Antoine D’Agata, on assignment for NEWSWEEK, recorded the scene over one four-hour period as Palestinians and Israeli security forces struggled near the gate. The Arabs attacked the police outpost with rocks and fire bombs; the Israelis responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Dozens were injured on both sides, and Israeli soldiers killed a young Palestinian with the rubber bullets, ammunition the Israeli Army calls “nonlethal.” Israeli forces had to rescue 10 of their men who became trapped in the police station as it burned.
Eventually the battle at the Lion’s Gate died down. But in the weeks since then the uprising has intensified, hardening positions on both sides and interrupting the peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel. Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat has taken to appearing in public with a submachine gun in hand, expressing symbolic support for the uprising. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has resigned, calling a February election. No matter who wins it, the next Israeli government may deal more roughly with the Palestinians. The days of rage may be just beginning.
