Palestinians riot as police limits access to Jerusalem Old City amid pandemic

Clashes are reported between Palestinians and police in and around Jerusalem’s Old City and at least one arrest was made, as Friday prayers on the Temple Mount went ahead while authorities tried to limit the number of worshipers due to the coronavirus emergency measures currently in place.

The outdoor areas of the holy site, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, were open to Friday prayers even as most other major Muslim shrines around the world were shuttered amid the pandemic. Worshipers gathered in small groups, but rain forced them to gather in sheltered spots in violation of Health Ministry rules.

Meanwhile, many Palestinians staged often-violent mass protests outside the Old City after police prevented them from reaching the site and closed the Old City doors to anyone except local residents.

Police used riot-control methods to disperse the crowd.

מתיחות בשכונת ואדי ג'וז הסמוכה לעיר העתיקה בירושלים: תושבים שלא הורשו להיכנס לעיר העתיקה התעמתו עם שוטרים, שהשיבו באמצעים לפיזור הפגנות@SuleimanMas1 pic.twitter.com/v4sAwHo6lt

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 20, 2020