Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police clashed Friday outside the Old City of Jerusalem amid tensions over the Israeli authorities' decision to bar male worshippers under 50 from entering the area for Friday prayers. Clashes erupted near al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
The unrest occurred outside Herod's Gate as Israeli police restricted younger men from entering the Old City of Jerusalem and Temple Mount, also known as the Noble Sanctuary, as tensions continue to rise over the installation of metal detectors outside the al Aqsa or Temple Mount compound for increasing security. The restrictions were imposed after a fatal shooting last week.
Around 3,000 policemen have been deployed near the site as Muslim leaders have called for mass protests at Friday's noon prayers.
The shrine is revered by both Muslims and Jews. Israeli police forcefully pushed worshipers back and then fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the worshipers and move them back, CNN reported.
Women are still allowed to enter the area regardless of age, as are tourists, police foreign press spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said earlier Friday.
Muslim leaders say Israel is trying to expand its control there by installing the security devices.
The Waqf, the Jordanian religious authority which administers the Temple Mount, has condemned the use of metal detectors to scan worshippers. Waqf religious leaders have refused to enter through the detectors which have been set up as part of the security clampdown.
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