Palestinians hurl stones at IDF troops north of Jerusalem
Some 100 Palestinians riot at Qalandiya checkpoint, dispersed by Israeli security forces. Mass Ramadan prayer session at Temple Mount passes without any unusual incidents; Palestinians, leftists hold anti-fence rallies in Bil'in, Naalin
Shortly after the prayer session marking the first Friday of Ramadan concluded at the Temple Mount in east Jerusalem, some 100 Palestinians rioted at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem.
The Palestinians hurled stones at IDF soldiers and Border Guard officers manning the checkpoint. Israeli security personnel were forced to use crowd-dispersal apparatus, but no injuries have been reported as of yet.
Two additional disturbances were reported nears the West Bank security fence west of Ramallah. One of the anti-fence rallies is being held in the Palestinian village of Naalin with the participation of some 150 Palestinians, who are hurling stones at Israeli forces.
About 50 Palestinians and Israeli Left-wing activists are protesting the construction of the West Bank barrier in Bil'in; Israeli security forces said the demonstrators were also throwing stones in their direction.
The prayer session at the Temple Mount concluded in the early afternoon hours without any unusual incidents or disturbances.
Earlier on Friday thousands of Israel Police and Border Guard officers deployed in Jerusalem's Old City and the Temple Mount compound ahead of the prayer session, which was attended by an estimated 90,000 worshippers.
Married male Palestinians from the West Bank aged 45-50 were allowed to enter the compound with permits, men over the age of 50 were permitted to enter without a special permit, as were married Palestinian women aged 30-45.
Magen David Adom emergency services also heightened their alert level for fear of possible disturbances during the prayer session.
During the month of September Israel Police is expected to heighten its alert level ahead of Rosh Hashana, with an emphasis on the Seam Line (border between Israel and the West Bank) and the area surrounding Jerusalem.
The IDF has eased restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank as a gesture for the month of Ramadan. In this framework army roadblocks will remain open longer, Israeli-Arabs will be permitted to enter Zone A (under full Palestinian control) and Israel will allow the transfer of money to Palestinian prisoners.
Ronen Medzini contributed to the report
