Israeli police braced for fresh violence yesterday ahead of main weekly Muslim prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, barring men younger than 50 after clashes erupted as Palestinians ended a boycott of the compound.
Tensions were high even after thousands of worshippers returned to the site that encompasses the Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, following a two-week boycott over security measures that Israel eventually removed.
Friday prayers typically draw thousands to the mosque, and police said there were “indications that disturbances and demonstrations will take place today”.
“Only men over the age of 50 will be permitted,” police said. There were no restrictions 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 about 100 people were wounded inside the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and in adjacent areas of the Old City after clashes erupted, with police saying protesters had thrown stones at officers inside the compound.
Read the full article by AFP at The Australian (subscription only).