Israeli authorities decide to remove metal detectors for Palestinians

Israeli authorities have decided to remove the metal detectors they had previously installed at the entrances to holy sites in Jerusalem, BBC reports, according to Patria agency.

The decision was also confirmed by the security cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians escalated when two Israeli soldiers were killed in Jerusalem on July 14, at a site that has been a long-standing dispute between the two peoples. Jews call it Temple Mount, and Muslims call it Haram al-Sharif.

Israeli authorities believed that installing metal detectors would help prevent arms smuggling, and the decision sparked major protests by Palestinians.

Following the outbreak of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, three Palestinians were killed, after which a Palestinian stabbed three Israelis to death in the West Bank.

The UN, in an emergency session, called on Israelis and Palestinians to cease violence and turn to dialogue.