DATE=10/13/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JERUSALEM / OLD CITY (L)
NUMBER=2-267911
BYLINE=SONJA PACE
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Israeli security forces were out in force in and around the old walled city of Jerusalem on Friday, and access to the Muslim prayer service at the al-Aqsa Mosque was highly restricted. V-O-A's Sonja Pace reports from the Old City.
TEXT: After Thursday's violence, Israeli authorities were taking no chances. Security forces and riot police, some on horseback, guarded the gates leading to the Old City.
Police carefully checked the identification papers of all those seeking to enter. No one under the age of 45 was allowed in for Friday prayers, no matter how much they objected.
/// PALESTINIAN PROTESTER ACT ///
They are talking all the time about free access
to Jerusalem. You see they are preventing the
people from going inside their city and
preventing people from praying today.
/// END ACT ///
The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been the scene of violent clashes the past two Fridays. The mosque complex Islam's third holiest shrine -- is where the current round of violence began, after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the area, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
The prayer service this Friday passed without any serious incidents. But minor disturbances and scuffles did take place just outside the Old City's Damascus Gate, where Israeli police warned crowds of young Palestinian men to disperse and go home.
/// SFX: POLICE MEGAPHONE--ESTABLISH AND FADE ///
/// SFX: PALESTINIAN CROWDS CHANTING IN ARABIC ///
The crowds shouted for revenge, for reclaiming lands taken from the Palestinians and for holy war. Police quickly moved in.
Inside the walls of the Old City, the situation was calm. Market stalls were open and sellers advertised their wares.
/// MARKET SELLER ACT IN ARABIC ///
There were few buyers. Except for many members of the Israeli security forces, the narrow streets of the Old City were practically deserted. (Signed)
NEB/SP/KL/WTW
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