Jerusalem : Palestinian pilgrims under the age of 60 were Tuesday barred from entering the Al-Aqsa mosque in Old Jerusalem, a day after clashes with Israeli police.
Many worshippers trying to enter the compound were turned away by police, who prevented all but those aged over 60 from entering the site, forcing many Palestinians to offer their dawn prayers on the streets, Al Jazeera reported.
Police used stun grenades to disperse many of the younger worshippers who objected to being blocked from the site.
“This comes following a day of skirmishes in the compound Monday after Jewish and non-Jewish groups entered the compound with the Israeli police for the Sakkout Jewish holidays,” an official said.
“Among these visitors were far-right Jewish activists whose presence provokes Palestinians.
“That’s because they have openly called on the Israeli government to practise more sovereignty and control over the Al-Aqsa compound, which is under Jordan’s custodianship.”
“Palestinians also feel their calls for Israeli control of the compound could eventually lead to the division of Islam’s holiest site among Palestinians and Jews,” the official added.
The Al-Aqsa mosque is Islam’s third holiest site, and the site is also sacred in Judaism.