Israel limits Muslim access to Jerusalem site amid tensions

Israeli border police officers stand guard as Palestinian women gather for prayer outside the Lion’s Gate following an appeal from clerics to pray in the streets instead of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem’s Old City, Wednesday, July 19, 2017. A dispute over metal detectors has escalated into a new showdown between Israel and the Muslim world over the contested Jerusalem shrine that has been at the center of violent confrontations in the past. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

JERUSALEM—An Israeli police spokesman says police are banning Muslim men under the age of 50 from a contested Jerusalem shrine ahead of feared mass protests over the installation of metal detectors there.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Friday that reinforcements are being deployed in and around Jerusalem’s Old City, where the walled shrine is located.

He says: “Police and border police units (were) mobilized in all areas and neighborhoods.”

Muslim leaders have called for mass protests at Friday noon prayers.

They urged worshippers to pray outside the shrine rather than submit to security procedures.

The shrine is revered by Muslims and Jews. Muslim leaders allege Israel is trying to expand its control there by installing the security devices.

Police took the action after Palestinians launched a deadly attack from there. JPV