Jerusalem Police Limit Entry to Temple Mount After Clashes

Jerusalem police will limit entry to the Temple Mount compound and the Old City Friday to men above the age of 50 following a night of violence at and around the site. Women of all ages will be allowed entry.

Violent clashes erupted Thursday as Muslims returned to the mosques at the compound after boycotting the site for nearly two weeks in protest at security measures put in place by Israel following the murder to two policemen on July 14.

Israel lifted the measures in their entirety this week and on Thursday after tens of thousands came to pray at the site some of the worshippers attacked police with stones leading to violent clashes in which some 100 Palestinians were injured.

A police spokesman said that while police take every effort to ensure freedom of worship for all religions, they would  not allow any “extremist factions” to run riot.

“The Temple Mount like all the holy places is open and safe in accordance with the status quo,” a spokesman said. “Police expect [Palestinian] leadership and public figures to talk out and condemn acts of violence and incitement, all the more so at this time.”

Meanwhile,  Arab foreign minister called late Thursday after an emergency meeting in Cairo on the United Nations Security Council to maintain “peace and security” in east Jerusalem.