JERUSALEM, August 28, 2009 (WAFA)- Israeli Police on Friday arrested four Palestinians in the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of Ramadan prayers, Israel Radio reported.
Thousands of Israeli police deployed in Jerusalem on Friday ahead of Ramadan prayers at Islam's holiest site in the city. Police also restricted access to Palestinians wanting to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
Friday is the Muslim day of worship and is marked by large communal prayers, especially during Ramadan. This is the first Friday of Ramadan this year. Only Palestinians with permits are allowed to enter Jerusalem from the West Bank.
However, many Palestinians seemed to be unaware of the restrictions. At West Bank checkpoints, tour buses brought hundreds of Palestinians hoping to attend the prayers, but many were turned away.
