By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
For the second week in a row, Jerusalem police
announced late Thursday that they will be imposing
restrictions on Muslim entrance to the holy site on Friday due to the ongoing security tensions in the country.
All Arab men under the age of 45 will be barred from Friday midday prayers due to security concerns, police said, with only those above 45 with Israeli ID cards allowed into the ancient compound.
The police restrictions come after escalating violence following the abduction of IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit nearly two weeks ago.
Police sporadically close off the bitterly contested Jerusalem holy site to younger male Arabs on Fridays during times of high tension, and following multiple alerts over possible violence at the compound.