Clashes break out in Jerusalem after holy site closed

Jerusalem - Israel police battled bottle-throwing Palestinians in East Jerusalem Sunday, after Israeli authorities closed the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif compound to visitors and Muslim worshippers, for fear of riots.

A police spokesman said one constable was lightly injured, and three rioters were arrested in the incident, which broke out after worshippers finished prayers in Wadi Joz, adjacent to the Old City of Jerusalem.

The flashpoint Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound, in Jerusalem's Old City, is holy to Muslims, who believe it marks the spot from where Mohammed ascended to heaven, and holy to Jews, as it marks the spot on where their biblical Temple once stood.

Flyers distributed in East Jerusalem called on Muslims to "come and protect "the compound, Israel's Y-net news website reported. According to Israel Radio, Muslim worshippers were afraid Jews would be allowed to pray in the compound.

Thousands of Jews were expected Sunday to congregate at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest existing site, which abuts the compound, to mark the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles).

Large forces of police and Border police were deployed in the Old City, and helicopters were flying overhead, a witness reported.

Clashes broke out in the compound last Sunday, the eve of the Jewish Day of Atonement, after a group of tourists, accompanied by Israeli police, arrived at the site. dpa