The Israeli army closes Jerusalem to worshippers.
Friday September 14, 2007 15:38
by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News
The Israeli army stopped hundreds of Palestinian worshippers who were trying to enter the holy city of Jerusalem on the first Friday of Ramadan.
Thursday marked the start of this year's Ramadan which coincides with the beginning of the Jewish New Year celebrations of Rosh Hashanah. On Wednesday, in anticipation of trouble, the Israeli army ordered the complete closure of the West Bank and the Gaza strip.
Sources in Jerusalem reported that a huge number of Israeli troops and police were deployed in the Old City. Troops also set up checkpoints around the Al Aqsa mosque, the third holiest Muslim site.
Only those over the age of 45 holding army permits were being allowed into the city.
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