Jerusalem Police bracing for disturbances ahead of first Friday prayers for Ramadan
Thousands of police officers will be deployed around the Temple Mount, East Jerusalem, Old City alleys and nearby areas.
By Liel KyzerThousands of police officers will be deployed around the Temple Mount, East Jerusalem, Old City alleys and nearby areas starting early today, the first Friday of Ramadan, amid fears of possible disturbances after prayers.
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Police in Jerusalem. |
| Photo by: Moti Kimche |
Officials at the Public Security Ministry said yesterday that the present calm in the city was deceptive and that there could be trouble, due to tensions between Israeli Arabs and the authorities.
Muslims around the world began the annual month-long fast of Ramadan on Wednesday, during which they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations from sunrise to sundown. The festival of Id al-Fitr marks the end of this holiday, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. This year Id al-Fitr falls on Thursday, September 9.
Ministry officials said there are indications of unusually high tension in the Arab community. Among other reasons, according to the officials, the present tensions stem from the police support of a former officer convicted of shooting to death an alleged Arab car thief; the authorities' increased demolition of homes in Arab neighborhoods; and the imprisonment of Sheikh Raed Salah, who heads the Islamic Movement's northern branch in Israel.
Police will restrict the entrance of Palestinian worshippers to the prayer session at the Temple Mount compound today.
Men aged 45-50 will be allowed in only with a special permit; men over 50 will be able to enter freely. Women from the West Bank aged 30-45 will only be allowed to join the prayers with a special permit; women over 45 will be able to enter freely, as will worshippers with Israeli (blue ) identity cards.
Dozens of traffic police will be posted along the roads leading to East Jerusalem to direct the hundreds of buses and private vehicles transporting worshippers to parking lots.
The Jerusalem police force, which will be reinforced by thousands of policemen from other districts, will set up posts near the Western Wall and in East Jerusalem, under the command of Jerusalem District Police Chief Aharon Franco.
"The policemen will prevent any attempt made to disrupt order and security," the Jerusalem police said in a statement yesterday.
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on what basis the Palestinians need special permit to pray in their own holy places?.. Israel said it is among the state that have religious freedom being ensured.. but then,this situation showed us otherwise.. that Israel want to control the Jerusalem.. Judaization of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque..
Even praying Palestinians are not allowed to do. What kind of rules are these!! You have to be a certine age to pary!
Since there's no apartheid as everyone have equal rights, Israel's nature is not illegal more than any other state in the world, and any remaining occupation would depend on the Palestinians since they seem to fire missiles from every area we pull. After we end that, will there be peace? No, they'll talk about removing settlers out of tel aviv.
What if Israel fails to provoke the uprising it desires? Clearly the government is trying to provoke the Third Infitada it needs to proceed with the destruction of Hamas that must precede the reduction of Hizbollah to set the stage for the attack upon Iran. Bib isn't even being clever. Sharon knew how to provoke an Infitada, Netanyahu is too craven to put his ass on line upon the Temple Mount.
Are they serious? I think the Israeli Police will probably do anything in their power to irritate the Muslims that are fasting during the Month of Ramadan. A Muslim does not look for trouble or initiate a fight during this Holy Month. May Allah protect the Muslims that are fasting and are being discriminated against, oppressed, or occupied. Ameen.
This situation is so sad. The calm may be deceptive? It couldn't possibly because the Arabs don't want to fight, they want to pray. Police or army?
The more Israel tightens its fist on the palestinians and especially the so called "temple mount" based on biblical claims, while in reality the world sees two mosques, one with a golden dome and the other most important the blue dome mosque "Al Aqsa will only bring stronger arms against you. Israel since its creation has only creared hate against it in the middle east and fake relationships with the west who only stand by them due to the fear of the jewish strength within these countries. Lets see how long this kind of management shall last against the will of "Freedom" Shallom/Salam/Peace
You need to learn something, Nation of Israel is creation of god himself and jewish people are the chosen ones ,This land was given for them and the temple of god been build twice already very same Spot where so called mosque now stand, and you will see oneday the power of True god of abraham,Isak and jacob, and im telling you if you fight against Israel you fight against god almighty ,remember that!
Regardless, whether you like it or not Israel offers equal rights to it's minorities and I see many of them at the malls and in the streets.(though now it's Ramadan). Your copypaste from extremist sites is rather useless here