The Jerusalem Police decided to keep the Temple Mount compound closed to visitors Monday.
The decision followed a security assessment held at the district's headquarters in the wake of Sunday's riots.
Violence
Arab reporter wounded during Jerusalem riots slams police conduct / Sharon Roffe-Ofir
Abdallah Zidan arrived at Temple Mount compound to pray, cover events for Islamic Movement's website. 'Officer hit me with baton for no reason,' he says. Police deny claims
Nevertheless, police will allow Muslim Worshipers aged 50 and over and women of all ages, who carry Israeli IDs, to attend services.
The police initially restricted access to the compound – both to tourists and visitors – as a precautionary measure, after learning that residents of east Jerusalem were urged to "come to protect the Mount." Large police forces were deployed in the Old City as well.
The would-be precautionary measure backfired, as shortly after word that the compound had been closed spread, some 150 Arabs arrived at the Lions Gate and began stoning security forces.
The demonstrators were pushed back towards the Wadi Joz neighborhood, where they continued to riot.
Two police officers were lightly injured and five rioters were arrested, including Fatah's Jerusalem portfolio holder Hatem Abdel Kader and Sheikh Kamal Khatib, of the Northern Islamic Movement.
All five were arraigned Sunday evening by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court and were released on bail. The court issued a restraining order against both, barring Abdel Kader from the Old City for 15 days, and Khatib from Jerusalem-proper for 15 days as well.
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