Clashes at Jerusalem mosque

Jews remember the biblical destruction of the temples

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli police firing tear gas and stun grenades have entered a Jerusalem site sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

Fifteen police officers and a number of Palestinians were injured in the operation, which was ordered after Jewish worshippers were pelted with stones by Muslims above them, police said.

There was a massive security presence at the compound on Sunday as a right-wing Jewish group held a ceremony to commemorate the biblical destruction of the first and second temples that once stood at the site.

The Temple Mount Faithful group originally wanted to place a symbolic cornerstone for a third Jewish Temple.

AUDIO CNN's Jerrold Kessel: "Hundreds of police stormed the area" 362K / 33 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

Israel banned the cornerstone laying but allowed a prayer service to take place nearby after Muslims warned the original plan could inflame tensions.

Before the clashes with Muslims, police had prevented the Temple Mount Faithful from disobeying the court order banning the cornerstone ceremony.

The Temple Mount, which is also the site of Al Aqsa mosque compound, was the scene of the first violent outbreaks in the current Palestinian uprising.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction called for a "day of rage" and urged Palestinians to gather on Sunday at the holy site to prevent any attempt to carry out the stone laying ceremony.

Fatah urged Palestinians to rally after noon prayers on Sunday and called on "to protect the holy city and the holy sites ... from desecration."

At least 1,000 Muslims were at the mosque compound answering the call when police stormed the complex.

In the Jewish calendar Sunday is a day of fasting to commemorate the biblical destruction of the first and second temples at the site.

Thousands of Jews are expected to pray at the Western Wall -- the last remaining retaining wall of the second Jewish temple - to remember the biblical destruction of the two houses of worship.