WORLD> Middle East
Israeli police on high alert ahead of Ramadan prayers
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-05 17:09

JERUSALEM -- Thousands of Israel Police and Border Guard officers have been deployed in Jerusalem's Old City and the Temple Mount compound on Friday, ahead of the first prayer session of the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to commence at around noon.

Magen David Adom emergency services have also heightened their alert level for fear of possible disturbances during the prayer session, said local daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

During the month of September, Israel police is expected to heighten its alert level ahead of Rosh Hashana, with an emphasis on the Seam Line (border between Israel and the West Bank) and the area surrounding Jerusalem, according to the daily.

On Monday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Israel has decided to allow some Palestinians to visit the Temple Mount during Ramadan.

According to the statement, Palestinian men over the age of 50 and women over the age of 45 will enjoy free access to the holy place in eastern Jerusalem, a section of the holy city Palestinians regard as the capital of their own state.  

Married Palestinian men aged between 45 to 50 and married Palestinian women aged between 30 to 45, with special permits from the Israeli authorities, will be able to attend the Friday prayers on the Temple Mount, where the third most sacred Islamic site Al Aqsa Mosque is located, said the IDF.