Police restrict Friday Muslim prayers on Temple Mount

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
Jerusalem police announced late Thursday that they will be imposing restrictions on Muslim entrance to the Temple Mount on Friday due to skirmishes and protests over the eviction of Jews from a disputed property in Hebron. 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 - as well as women of any age - allowed into the ancient compound. Police sporadically close off the bitterly contested holy site to younger male Arabs on Fridays during times of high tension, and following multiple alerts over possible violence at the site.