AL-QUDS
Israeli police on Friday restricted the access of Muslim worshippers into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) for the weekly prayers.
Police said that it will only allow men over 50 and holders of blue IDs (issued for residents of Al-Quds and Israel) into the holy compound, Israeli Channel 7 reported.
Israeli police said that the move has been taken upon an intelligence tipoff about Palestinian plans to stage demonstrations following the prayers.
On Thursday, Palestinians marked the Palestinian Prisoners' Day, which is commemorated by the Palestinians on April 17 every year, to demand the release of nearly 5000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Tension has been high in Al-Quds over threats by extremist Jewish groups, which have called on supporters to force their way into the holy compound during the current Jewish Passover holiday (April 14 to 22).
On Wednesday, clashes broke out at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli security personnel stormed the holy site in an apparent bid to disperse Palestinians who have been camped out inside the compound for days.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli security forces, have repeatedly forced their way into the Al-Aqsa complex. The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
Israel occupied Al-Quds during the 1967 Middle East War. It later annexed the holy city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the self-proclaimed Jewish state.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
englishnews@aa.com.tr
