in a moment with one of the top experts in the middle east. i want to get to connor powell live for us in jerusalem. what's the situation tonight? >> reporter: there's a lot of theories about where this wave of violence is going, could it escalate? one thing that is clear, everyone here in jerusalem and around the region are on edge tonight. the tensions really began to rise earlier this summer after violent clashes erupted between palestinians and israelis at the mosque compound. right-wing israeli groups including a member of the israeli cabinet have pushed for access to the mosque compound which sits upon the historic jewish temple mound. it's a holy site for both jews and muslims here and much contested. the jewish crews have called for a new one there. that's erupted the anger of arab israelis and palestinians. prime minister netanyahu banned members of his cabinet to go to the compound and said he supports the status quo agreement to basically keep