Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Muslims across the world to “visit” and “protect” Jerusalem, slamming what he said was an “unacceptable” infringement on Palestinians’ rights to a holy site.

The leader’s comments on Tuesday came after days of violence sparked over access to the al-Aqsa mosque in the city’s Noble Sanctuary, known as the Temple Mount in Judaism.

The site is sacred to both Muslims and Jews and as such is a recurrent flash point in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Show all 12 1 /12 Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Ancient pottery shards found on the site Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem The ruins were found on the site of the famous Schneller Orphanage which operated until the Second World War Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem The archaeologists also found evidence of a Roman bathhouse Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem A brick stamped with the insignia of the Tenth Roman Legion who garrisoned the province Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem An ancient candle holder Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Shards of pottery unearthed from the site Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Archaeologists believe the site to be around 1,600 years old Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Archaeologists also found evidence of an earlier Jewish home on the site Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Jerusalem district archaeologist Amit Re'em said the find showed 'the magic' of the city Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem An ancient Roman estate has been found on the site of the Schneller Orphanage in Jerusalem Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Excavation Director Alex Wiegmann holds up a candle holder used in the Roman period Israel Antiquities Authority Ancient Roman estate found in Jerusalem Archaeologists found a wine press in the centre of the complex Israel Antiquities Authority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s cabinet voted Monday night to dismantle metal detectors set up outside the sacred compound in response to an attack there by an Arab gunman that killed two Israeli police officers on 14 July.

Palestinians alleged Israel was trying to expand its control at the Muslim administered site, the care of which is overseen by neighbouring Jordan. Israel has denied the accusations.

The new security measures and attempts to deny Muslim men under the age of 50 access to the site for prayers led to mass protests in the contested capital.

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At least four Palestinians were killed in street clashes and three Israeli settlers were killed in their West Bank home in the ensuing unrest. On Sunday, two Jordanians were killed by an Israeli guard after one attacked him at the Israeli embassy in Amman, sparking a diplomatic incident with Jordan.

While the metal detectors are being dismantled, Israel’s capitulation did not go far enough for Mr Erdogan, who had previously spoken to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin urging for the status quo in Jerusalem to be restored.

“From here I make a call to all Muslims. Anyone who has the opportunity should visit Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa mosque,” Mr Erdogan said in Ankara. “Come, let’s all protect Jerusalem”, he added.

Mr Erdogan also criticised what he said was the use of “excessive” Israeli force to break up recent protests.

There have been several high profile calls for Palestinians to continue protesting by praying outside the site until other measures added earlier this month such as CCTV cameras are also removed.