BICOM

The Israel Police said Friday morning it would leave metal detectors in place at the entrances to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

The security cabinet met overnight and “authorised the Israel Police to make any decision in order to ensure free access to the holy sites, while upholding security and public order” according to a statement. The cabinet said that “Israel is committed to preserving the status quo at the Temple Mount and free access to the holy sites [and] is committed to the security of all worshipers and visitors to the Temple Mount.”

The police said in a statement that the decision on metal detectors came “in light of the events of recent days, which included violent riots near the gates of the Temple Mount and at other sites in villages in East Jerusalem”. Reports suggest that while the detectors will stay in place, the police will use their discretion over who needs to go through them.

Over 40 Palestinians and five Israeli police officers were reportedly injured during clashes at the Old City’s Lions Gate following yesterday’s evening prayers. Palestinians threw rocks and glass bottles at the officers, who responded with tear gas and riot dispersal methods, the police said.

Tens of thousands of worshippers are expected to arrive at the compound after the Waqf – the Islamic Foundation in control of the site – announced that all mosques in Jerusalem would be closed and encouraged people to join the protests.

The police are expected to deploy three thousand additional officers around the Old City on Friday morning in anticipation of escalating violence following prayers. Similar to numerous times in the past, the police have also restricted access to the Temple Mount to men aged 50 and above and women of all ages.

Early Friday morning, police reportedly stopped a bus in the Latrun area carrying Arab Israeli worshippers making their way to the Temple Mount and prevented them from entering Jerusalem.