Israel Police are expected to limit the entrance of Muslim worshippers into the Temple Mount complex in east Jerusalem on Friday to those over 45 years old for fear that disturbances may erupt following the prayer services.
In light of intelligence information pointing to the possibility of disturbances and the intent to hold processions at the Muslim holy site, Jerusalem District Police Commander Ilan Franco recommended to Israel Police Chief Moshe Karadi and Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra to limit the entrance into the site to Muslim men carrying blue (Israeli) identification cards aged 45 years or more.
The entrance of women to the Temple Mount will not be limited.
The precautions are being taken due to the publication of cartoons mocking Islam’s prophet Muhammad in foreign newspapers and the subsequent kidnapping Thursday of German national Christopher Kasten by gunmen in Nablus.
'We'll abduct all citizens of European countries'
Dozens of Islamic Jihad and Fatah gunmen stormed the European Union building in the Gaza Strip on Thursday to protest the publication of Prophet Muhammad cartoons in a Danish newspaper.
The armed Palestinians demanded an official Danish apology for the caricatures, which the gunmen said hurt the feelings of Muslims.
Meanwhile, a different group associated with Fatah, the Abu-Rish Brigades, issued an eight-hour ultimatum to Denmark and a similar demand for an apology. The group's announcement noted that should Denmark and Europe fail to apologies, "We'll abduct and hurt all citizens of the European countries who hurt Islam's feelings and honor."
The attack on the EU offices is the second this week. On Sunday, 15 masked al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades gunmen stormed the EU building and demanded an immediate apology from Denmark andNorway for publishing cartoons that offended many Muslim nations.