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Photo: Reuters
Climbing wall in Beit Hanina on way to prayer
Photo: Reuters

Checkpoints packed ahead of Ramadan prayer

Tens of thousands of Palestinians attempt to reach festive Temple Mount prayer ahead of conclusion of holy Muslim month. Arabs hurls stones at Border Guard forces near Jerusalem

Tens of thousands of Palestinians arrived Wednesday at dozens of Israel Defense Forces checkpoints across the West Bank, on their way to a festive prayer which will be held Wednesday night at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City ahead of the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

 

In honor of the Muslim holiday, Israel eased the crossing at West Bank checkpoints and the entry to Jerusalem, and is allowing men over the age of 50 and women over the age of 45 to take part in the prayers.

 

Under usual Israeli restrictions, only West Bank residents with a special permit can enter the capital.


 

Masses waiting to pass through Qalandiya checkpoint (Photo: AFP)

 

Last week, some 100,000 worshippers arrived at the Temple Mount in order to take part in the Ramadan's Friday prayers. Massive police forces were stationed at the Old City in order to enforce order, and the prayers ended peacefully.

 

Meanwhile, several stone throwing incidents were recorded in the Jerusalem area on Wednesday evening. Arabs hurled stones at Border Guard forces at the Shuafat refugee camp in the northern part of the city, but were driven away by a Border Guard force using crowd dispersal means. There were no injuries.

 

Another incident was recorded at the Atarot checkpoint, north of Jerusalem. The stone throwers were dispersed by a security force, and there were no injuries in this incident as well.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.17.09, 00:28
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