Police on high alert for Friday prayers

Over 2,000 policemen deployed in Jerusalem's Old City for fear of riots over digs beneath the Temple Mount

Avi Cohen |Last update: 02.09.07 , 01:16

Police increased security levels throughout the country, and particularly in Jerusalem, in light of growing tensions over excavation works beneath the Temple Mount.

In a meeting held by Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi Thursday, it was decided to increase the alert level in the capital ahead of the Friday noon prayers.

Riots

11 arrested in riots following J'lem works

Efrat Weiss

Police arrest rioting youths protesting Israeli works at Mugrabi Gate leading to Temple Mount, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades threaten attacks if works continue. Israeli archeologists say works nowhere near mosques, city officials divided over legality of work permit

11 arrested in riots following J'lem works

Over 2,000 police officers have been stationed throughout the old city of Jerusalem Friday. The city’s police force has also called in reinforcements in order to keep the peace in the area surrounding the old city with the help of roadblocks. Police forces will also use a zeppelin and a helicopter to locate trouble areas.

In addition, only men over 45 years of age in possession of Israeli ID’s will be allowed entrance to the Temple Mount. In a further attempt to calm tensions, the excavations will be halted Friday and Saturday.

Police also raised the level of alert in the Galilee over plans by the Islamic Movement to hold a mass protest against the digs in Nazareth on Friday afternoon.

Police officials fear that Palestinians will attempt to carry out terror attacks in response to the Mugrabi Gate dig, and that riots will break out in the capital and other places.

Karadi has ordered police and Border Guard forces to deploy in massive numbers in crowded places, open markets, shopping areas, and main traffic routes along the seam line Friday.

Policemen near the Old City (Photo: Haim Tzach)

The police will also boost enforcement against illegal Palestinian residents and their employers.

Hundreds of Arabs from across Israel arrived at the Mugrabi Gate near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Thursday afternoon in protest of the excavations.

"We oppose the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque," one protester told Ynet. "It hurts Muslim pride, the world, and Israel. The works could cause the situation in the whole region to deteriorate and even intensify the intifada."

A spokesman for the Islamic movement, Zahi Nujidat, said the purpose of Friday's protest in Nazareth was to bring attention to the issue of the excavations and to “make it clear to the entire world that Israel is wrong and deceiving”.

Nujidat also said the movement hoped that Israel would stop the excavations and that failure to do so would make the country “responsible for the deterioration of the situation”.