Israel again bans entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque for those under 50

Israeli police announced that men under 50 will be banned from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers, following riots that occurred on Thursday and a Palestinian boycott of prayers, reports Patria agency.

- We have conducted a security assessment which shows that riots and protests will occur. The ban does not apply to men over 50 and women, and access will be restricted on some streets around the Old City. All security measures have been taken to prevent and respond to any outbreak of violence – the police stated.

Muslim worshippers were supposed to return to the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem on Friday (today), after two weeks of protests and riots, despite Israel withdrawing the controversial security measures.   

Palestinians stopped coming to the complex in protest against the introduction of controversial security measures at this extremely sensitive site in East Jerusalem – the Palestinian part of the city occupied by Israel. Israel withdrew the last security measures yesterday morning.

Yesterday, after thousands of Muslim worshippers entered the mosque complex for afternoon prayers, clashes broke out after the arrival of Israeli police, with hundreds of people injured, the Palestinian Red Crescent announced.