AL-QUDS
Hundreds of Palestinian youths were forced to perform the weekly prayers on the streets of Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) on Friday after they were denied access into Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces.
According to eyewitnesses, young worshippers prayed on the streets in Bab Al Amoud and Bab al-Asbat in Al-Quds.
Worshippers also prayed in alleys in Al-Quds' Old City, according to Anadolu Agency reporter.
Israeli authorities have banned Palestinian worshippers less than 40 from performing the weekly prayers inside the mosque.
In the past three weeks, Israeli authorities have restricted the entry of Palestinian worshippers less than 40 to perform the weekly prayers into the mosque in an effort to prevent clashes with Palestinians.
In recent months, groups of extremist Jewish settlers, often accompanied by Israeli security forces, have stepped up their intrusions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex.
The frequent violations anger Palestinian Muslims and occasionally lead to violent confrontations.
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.
Palestinians accuse Israel of trying to "Judaize" the holy city, which they want as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
englishnews@aa.com.tr
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