Israel Deploys Police Around Jerusalem's Old City
By VOA News
05 October 2009
Israel has deployed thousands of security officers in and around Jerusalem's Old City after police and Palestinian protesters clashed there Sunday.
Thousands of Jewish worshippers in white prayer shawls gathered at the Western Wall Monday to mark the week-long holiday of Sukkot. The wall is at the base of a compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount, which is Judaism's holiest site.
Muslims also consider the compound one of their holiest sites, calling it the Noble Sanctuary.
Israeli police say they have restricted access for Muslim worshippers into the compound for safety reasons. They are allowing entry only to men over the age of 50 and women. The police said calls by Israeli Arab leaders for protests could lead to violence.
Israeli police say a small group of Palestinians threw stones at people outside the Old City Monday.
Officials say Sunday's clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters left nine people hurt after police stormed a crowd of about 150 Palestinians outside the compound.
Similar trouble broke out there a week ago after a Muslim cleric alleged that Jewish settlers would try to enter the holy site.
Sukkot started on October 2 and ends on October 9.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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