Israel tightens Jerusalem security fearing protests
Date: 27 / 02 / 2009 Time: 11:42
Jerusalem – Ma'an – Israeli police imposed tight restrictions on entry to Jerusalem and on worship at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, fearing protests over the planned demolition of some 90 Palestinian houses in the city.
Men under the age of 45, even those holding Israeli-issued IDs, are barred from prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. No restrictions were imposed on women.
Israeli police deployed heavily in the vicinity of the Old City and the Mosque.
The Israeli Jerusalem Municipality continued forward this week with a plan to expel more than 1,500 Palestinians and potentially demolish their homes in the Bustan neighborhood of Jerusalem, just to the south of the Old City.
Residents say they inherited the homes from their parents and grandparents. Most were built prior to 1967, when the West Bank and East Jerusalem came under Israeli occupation, and many were built during the British Mandate period before 1948, when the State of Israel was established.
A top Muslim religious official, Supreme Judge Tayseer Tamimi, called for a “Day of Anger” Friday in protest of the expected demolitions.
"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music"
