Tension high as Israeli police clash with Palestinians

Israeli police briefly clashed with Palestinian protesters at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site early yesterday, raising tensions in the holy city ahead of the Jewish new year.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said forces moved into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound at around 7am yesterday after police received reports that protesters were planning to disrupt visits to the area by Jewish worshippers and tourists.

He said the protesters barricaded themselves inside the mosque and threw rocks and firecrackers at police. He said police did not enter the mosque, but removed barricades around the building. Suspected pipe bombs were found at the entrance to the mosque, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.