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Inside Story

Al-Aqsa clashes

Does the increasing frequency of confrontations indicate another intifada is imminent?

A cherished site for Muslims, Jews and Christians, the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem has become a scene of frequent clashes between Israeli forces and angry Palestinians.

Dozens of people have been injured after clashes erupted between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters at the al-Aqsa mosque compound on Sunday.

Palestinian groups had called for demonstrations in response to rumours that Jewish activists were planning to gather at the site.
 
Reports say that the clashes broke out after Israeli police fired tear gas at Palestinian students.
 
Israel says police did not enter the mosque but some reports said Muslims inside were prevented from leaving.

Are the clashes only about the holy site? Does the increasing frequency of these clashes indicate another intifada is imminent? Or are the protestors simply venting their frustrations? And what are the consequences of the recurrent confrontations?

Inside Story presenter Imran Garda is joined by guests Ziad al-Hammouri, the director of the Jerusalem Centre for Social and Economic Rights, Aaron Klein, the Jerusalem bureau chief of the online magazine WorldNetDaily, and Alastair Crooke, the founder and director of Conflicts forum.
 
This episode of Inside Story airs from Monday, October 26, 2009 at 1730GMT and 2230GMT, with repeats on Tuesday at 0430GMT and 1030GMT.