Occupied Jerusalem: Palestinians prayed in the streets of the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday following an age limit ban by Israeli police on Muslim men entering Al Haram Al Sharif.
Israeli police restricted Muslim men under the age of 50 from entering the mosque area for midday prayers on Friday.
Al Haram Al Sharif was completely sealed off to Muslim worshippers on Thursday, the first time since 1967.
After Friday prayers relative calm prevailed despite Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ call for a “day of rage” following the closure the day before.
Nadeem, a Palestinian from Ramallah, said he was unable to attend prayers at Al Aqsa mosque on Friday because of the restrictions, however, said he hoped restrictions would be lifted on Sunday.
Following midday prayers an elderly man confronted an armed Israeli who was accompanying a group of Jews, which included children, walking through Al Haram Al Sharif.
Israeli occupation forces maintained a heavy security presence throughout the Old City, including armoured vehicles and mounted police outside the Damascus Gate entrance.
