Palestinians, police clash in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Israeli police and Palestinian demonstrators clashed Friday on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in a protest over restrictions at al-Aqsa Mosque, officials said.

At least 11 police officers were hurt as protesters threw bottles, The Wall Street Journal reported. Police arrested four Palestinians.

Israel restricted access to the mosque to women and to men over age 50 after violence erupted when Palestinians mistook a French tour group for Jews planning to say Yom Kippur prayers on the Temple Mount. The mount is home both to the al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's holiest places of worship, and the remains of the Jewish temple destroyed by the Romans.

Far fewer worshipers attended Friday prayers, possibly because of the restrictions, Israeli radio reported.

While Friday's violence was minor, it marred a visit by George Mitchell, President Obama's envoy to the Mideast. Mitchell held separate meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority.

Thousands of Israeli security forces were deployed in Jerusalem, especially in the eastern part of the city where most of the Arab population lives.