Israel restricts access to Jerusalem mosque

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JERUSALEM — Israel limited access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Friday for fear of violence on the Muslim weekly day of prayer, which leads directly into Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, police said.

The restrictions were part of a wider lockdown, under which the army closed all entry points from the West Bank on Thursday night.

Under the restrictions, only Muslim men over the age of 45 with Israeli residency will be permitted access to the mosque complex in the Old City, but there are no restrictions on women.

Police and border guard reinforcements have also been deployed in east Jerusalem, where the Old City is located.

The army said all crossings would remain closed until Saturday evening due to the holy day, which starts just before sundown on Friday, though exceptions could be made for people who needed medical attention.

Israel systematically closes crossing points with the West Bank on its main holidays, for fear of attacks.

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1. This Week in History: Deadly riots on the Temple Mount

After fringe Jewish group attempts to lay cornerstone for a “third temple" in 1990, Palestinians riot and Israeli police fire live bullets into the mob.

http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=240911