Soldiers gird for throngs at Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem

22 October 2015, 2:34 pm

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Troops have placed a concrete barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, near a the Jewish holy site of Rachel’s Tomb, where thousands of faithful are expected for a pilgrimage this weekend.

The gathering could heighten tensions in the city, where Palestinian demonstrators have been clashing with Israeli troops in recent weeks.

An ultra-Orthodox man within the heavily fortified space of Rachel's Tomb (photo credit: Sege Attal/Flash 90) — An ultra-Orthodox man within the heavily fortified space of Rachel’s Tomb (Sege Attal/Flash 90)

Police say they will deploy hundreds of troops in a bid to maintain calm during the Saturday night-Sunday festival, which marks the anniversary of the biblical matriarch Rachel’s death.

Private cars will also be forbidden from entering the heavily fortified shrine during the pilgrimage festival.

— with AP