RAMALLAH: Israeli police on Sunday lifted restrictions imposed last week on entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex after holding a situation assessment meeting, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.
The Israeli Army Radio cited a statement by the police as saying that the complex was opened on Sunday morning "to worshippers of all religions." Only Muslim worshippers above the age of 50 were permitted to enter the site last week.
Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the compound looking over Jerusalem's Old City between 0530 GMT and 0830 GMT and between 1030 GMT and 1130 GMT, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben Ruby said.
Hatim Abdulqader, who is in charge of the Jerusalem portfolio in the Fatah movement, said Jordanian Ambassador to Israel Ali Al-Ayed reached an agreement with Israel on Saturday night, allowing hundreds of Muslim worshippers who have entrenched themselves on Al-Aqsa Mosque to come out without being arrested by the police.
Abdulqader told Arab News that "the danger to Al-Aqsa Mosque has not passed." He called on Arabs inside Israel and the residents of East Jerusalem to maintain a constant presence at the mosque.
Meanwhile, Fatah Central Committee member Muhammad Dahlan warned that demonstrations in Jerusalem would not end as long as Jewish extremists were allowed to enter the mosque complex.
"The riots will not end as long as (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu continues sending settlers to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque," Dahlan told Israeli Radio.
He went on to draw a comparison between suicide attacks inside Israel and the establishment of West Bank settlements, saying there is no difference between blowing up a bus in Tel Aviv and stealing Palestinian lands.
