Israel police brace for new violence at Jerusalem holy site
JERUSALEM: Israeli police braced for fresh violence yesterday ahead of main weekly Muslim prayers at a Jerusalem holy site, barring men under 50 after clashes erupted as Palestinians ended a boycott of the mosque compound.
Tensions at the Haram al-Sharif, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, were high even after thousands of worshippers returned to the site, that encompasses the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, following a two-week boycott over new security measures that Israel eventually removed.
Friday prayers typically draw thousands to Al-Aqsa, and police said there were “indications that disturbances and demonstrations will take place today”.
“Only men over the age of 50 will be permitted,” a police statement said.
No restrictions will be imposed on women.
“A number of roads around the Old City will be limited to access and all necessary security measures are being taken to prevent and to respond to any outbreak of violence,” police said.
On Thursday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said around 100 people were wounded inside the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and in adjacent areas of the Old City after clashes erupted, with police saying stones had been thrown at officers inside the compound.
Thousands of worshippers earlier streamed into the compound for afternoon prayers for the first time in two weeks, ending a boycott after Israel removed controversial new security measures, installed after a July 14 attack killed two policemen.
Some cried as they entered while others shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is Greatest).
Some brought their children in what was initially a celebratory atmosphere.
Muslims had in previous days refused to enter the compound and prayed in the streets outside after Israel installed the new security measures.
Palestinians viewed the move as Israel asserting further control over the site.
Israeli authorities said the measures, including metal detectors, were needed because the July 14 attackers smuggled guns into the compound and emerged from it to attack the officers.
The United States welcomed “the efforts undertaken to deescalate tensions in Jerusalem today”.
“Calm and security will create the best opportunity to return to dialogue and the pursuit of peace,” US President Donald Trump’s special representative for international negotiations, Jason Greenblatt, said.
Deadly unrest erupted in the days after the new measures were introduced, with clashes breaking out around the compound and in the occupied West Bank, leaving six Palestinians dead.
A Palestinian also broke into a home in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank and stabbed four Israelis late Friday, killing three of them.
After intensive international diplomacy, Israel had removed the metal detectors on Tuesday.
Newly installed railings and scaffolding where cameras were previously mounted were also removed early on Thursday.
The removal was seen as a defeat for Netanyahu, who had ordered the new security measures and was forced to backtrack after warnings the unrest could spiral out of control.
It represented a rare victory for Palestinians, who remained united in their boycott. — AFP
A number of roads around the Old City will be limited to access and all necessary security measures are being taken to prevent and to respond to any outbreak of violence. Police statement