Israel lifts age limit on holy site
Israel says it will allow men of all ages into Jerusalem's holy site complex, after months of restrictions.
The restrictions on Muslim male worshippers were imposed after tension and unrest in the city between Israel and the Palestinians.
Extra police units have been deployed in the city ahead of Friday prayers, spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said.
Israel said the decision was linked to agreements reached during talks between Israel, the US and Jordan in Amman.
Jordan is the custodian of the compound, w
hich includes the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
The compound - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif - is the holiest site in Judaism, while the al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.
Orthodox Jewish campaigners in Israel are challenging the long-standing ban on Jews praying at the compound.
A prominent rabbi and leading campaigner was shot and wounded by a Palestinian in Jerusalem last month.
Tensions were also increased by two deadly attacks by Palestinian militants on pedestrians in the city and announcements by Israel of plans to build more settler homes in East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have blamed each other for the recent unrest in the city.
The restrictions on Muslim male worshippers were imposed after tension and unrest in the city between Israel and the Palestinians.
Extra police units have been deployed in the city ahead of Friday prayers, spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said.
Israel said the decision was linked to agreements reached during talks between Israel, the US and Jordan in Amman.
Jordan is the custodian of the compound, w
hich includes the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque.
The compound - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif - is the holiest site in Judaism, while the al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.
Orthodox Jewish campaigners in Israel are challenging the long-standing ban on Jews praying at the compound.
A prominent rabbi and leading campaigner was shot and wounded by a Palestinian in Jerusalem last month.
Tensions were also increased by two deadly attacks by Palestinian militants on pedestrians in the city and announcements by Israel of plans to build more settler homes in East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have blamed each other for the recent unrest in the city.
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