Prayers at Temple Mount
Photo: Gil Yohanan
IDF strike in Gaza
Photo: AFP
Police on high alert before Friday prayers
Police chief orders deployment of 12,000 officers throughout Israel, focusing on Temple Mount, Old City in Jerusalem ahead of weekend services
Police Chief Dudi Cohen has ordered Jerusalem Police to allow only men older than 50 and carrying an Israeli ID to pray at the Temple Mount Friday. The decision was made during a meeting Cohen held with his senior commanders. Regarding women no limitations were set.
Yoram Ohayon, head of the police emergency operations division, told Ynet that Friday's prayers would be an important test for Israel's security forces. He said the prayers "can constitute a comfortable soapbox for incitement and rioting."
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As the sixth day of the IDF operation in Gaza comes to a close, police officials prepared to go on high alert in three areas: That of the Gaza vicinity, the entrances to cities, and populated city centers. Some 12,000 police and Border Guard officers will deploy throughout Israel on Friday.
In addition, a closure imposed on the West Bank by Defense Minister Ehud Barak is to remain in place until Saturday night.
Jerusalem District Police will deploy reinforcements at the Temple Mount, and thousands of officers will be stationed there, as well as in the eastern neighborhoods and the Old City. In the neighborhoods flanking the city officers will attempt to prevent riots and illegal entries into the capital.
Police also announced that they had held meetings with a number of Arab community leaders in order to procure their support in keeping the peace in the Arab neighborhoods.
