Israel beefs up security for Jerusalem religious ceremonies

Palestinian worshippers perform ‘tarawih’, an extra lengthy prayer held during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, next to the Dome of Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem (AP)

Israel’s defence minister has extended a closure barring entrance to Israel for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip for the duration of the Jewish holiday of Passover, while police beefed up forces in Jerusalem on the eve of sensitive religious celebrations.

The moves come after days of violence across the region at a time of heightened religious fervour – with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coinciding with Passover and Easter celebrations.