Protests ignite over Temple Mount

(JNS.org) Anti-Israel demonstrations were held across the Muslim world Thursday and Friday to protest Israel's decision to implement metal detectors at the Temple Mount, following the July 14 terror attack that killed two Israeli police officers near the holy site.

In Jordan's capital of Amman Friday, thousands of protesters organized by Islamist groups took to the streets to decry the security measures. 

"With our soul, with our blood, we will sacrifice ourselves for you, Al-Aqsa," they chanted, AFP reported. "We will go to Al-Aqsa in our millions as martyrs."

Jordan, one of two Arab countries that have peace treaties with Israel, is the custodian of the Old City of Jerusalem's Muslim holy sites, including the Temple Mount, through the Islamic Waqf.  

In Istanbul Thursday night, Turkish Islamists protested outside of the Neve Shalom synagogue with signs denouncing Israel as a "terrorist state."

"Israel has banned Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque for many years," said local Islamist leader Kursat Mican, the Hurriyet Daily News reported. "It has not stopped at that and now it is harassing our Palestinian brothers by putting X-ray devices at the entrances to our sanctuary. Our brothers are not able to pray at the Al-Aqsa mosque. This is limiting to freedom of religion, faith and worship."

The Turkish Chief Rabbinate Foundation condemned the protest and urged authorities to take action.

"We are condemning the provocative act in front of the Neve Shalom synagogue and expecting related authorities to do what's necessary," the foundation posted on Twitter.

Other protests against Israel were held in the Lebanese city of Beirut and the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur.