Israeli police change route of contentious Jerusalem march

Jewish women, some covered with Israeli flags, pray during Jerusalem Day at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in the Old City of Jerusalem (Oded Balilty/AP)

Israeli police have changed the route of a contentious march by Jewish ultranationalists in Jerusalem, in an apparent attempt to avoid confrontations with Palestinian protesters.

The original route had planned to go through Damascus Gate and into the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and on to the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray.