Jerusalem Police and the Border Guard deployed backup forces in the eastern side of the capital Thursday, including the Old City and the Palestinian villages, due to intelligence saying teens are planning to riot there Friday.
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As usual in times of tension, police will limit Friday prayer on Temple Mount. Muslim men over 50 carrying an Israeli ID and women of any age will be allowed into the area.
Also fanning the flames is a police decision to permit right-wing activists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel to hold a march in the village of Silwan in east Jerusalem.
The two say they will tour the village on March 21 along with 70 others to observe illegal construction there. "Illegal Palestinian structures should share the fate of the structures being destroyed in our outposts," said Ben-Gvir.
Residents of the neighborhood responded with anger. "The police are insane. The situation is already tense because of the homes that are going to be razed," Fakhri Abu-Dihab, who resides in the village, told Ynet.
"It is well-known who Baruch Marzel is and what he represents, and if the police give permission to such an extremist, who wants us transferred, they will bear full responsibility for what happens. I am afraid
because everything here is so sensitive now – this will not be easily accepted by people here."
Another resident of the village added that police would not be able to control the 50,000 residents of the village. "At a time like this we need to help people get closer, not set fires. I don't want blood shed on either side," he said.
Ronen Medzini contributed to this report
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