Palestinian worshipers, Israeli police clash in East Jerusalem

Clashes between the two sides flamed right after the Israeli police prevented dozens of Palestinian young men from reaching al- Aqsa Mosque for Friday's weekly prayer, according to the witnesses as well as local sources.

"The worshipers prayed in the narrow streets of the old city after they failed to reach al-Aqsa Mosque," said the sources, adding "clashes with the police erupted at the end of the prayer."

The sources said only 2,000 worshipers were able to pray at the mosque following strict security measures carried out by the Israeli police in the old city. The Israeli measures were made to prevent more violence similar to the conflicts in the city last Friday.

The Israeli security forces on Friday imposed a closure on the West Bank for 48 hours to prevent more violence and clashes between the Israeli security forces and the Palestinians.

Tension between Israel and the Palestinians had recently flared after the Israeli government decided to build 1,600 new housing units in Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.