Tens of Thousands of Israelis Protest U.S.-Proposed Peace PlanShowing opposition to a U.S.-proposed Mideast peace plan that would give Palestinians sovereignty over a disputed shrine in East Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Israelis protested on Monday(Jan.8) outside the ancient walls of the Old City.The demonstration began as U.S. Mideast envoy Dennis Ross was set to depart for the region in a last-ditch effort by U.S. President Bill Clinton to persuade Israeli and Palestinian leaders to compromise in a bid to reach a final peace settlement. Clinton will leave office in less than two weeks. The protest specifically rallied against a Clinton administration proposal that Israel allow Palestinians sovereignty over a shrine in the Old City that is holy to both Muslims and Jews. The site is known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, the third-holiest site in the Islamic world. |
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