Security cordon around the Old City

Checkpoint on Nablus Road admits only men over 50, and women

Checkpoints at Damascus Gate

For the fourth straight Friday morning, Israeli forces barred access to the Old City for Muslim men under the age of 50. Security today was the tightest yet, with a cordon to block people on the approach streets before they got to the city gates, and forces deployed throughout the city. The strategy worked, because it forestalled an recurrence of Tuesday's protest demonstration at the Damascus Gate for the death of a prisoner (see April 3 blog). We did not see any clashes today, just the denial of freedom of movement and freedom of worship, to those men denied access to Friday prayers at Al Aqsa mosque.

Bus station near Damascus Gate closed

Soldiers and police on the Via Dolorosa

Checkpoint even on a side street

Police cars lined up outside Lion's Gate

Soldiers' vantage point in Muslim cemetery

Rooftop police spotter in city center

One man said he had to show his ID at five separate checkpoints, and park his car a long way away, although he has a parking space inside the city.

Women in Black protest against the occupation

In West Jerusalem, the Women in Black had a turnout of more than 30 for their protest vigil against the Israeli occupation, which they have been holding every Friday for 25 years. This week their numbers were swelled by a group from Belgium, and even the counter-protester across the street had a helper to hold the Israeli flag.

Counter protestors

Some of the Belgians who demonstrated with the Women in Black...

Back at the Damascus Gate, all movement restrictions had been lifted, and the barricades stacked out of the way behind vendors' wares. 

I wondered why there were no police keeping an eye on a group of about 50 men gathered on the steps for more than half an hour. Then I discovered they were bidding on items offered for sale by a street auctioneer. Obviously not a threat to security forces.

Auction crowd on Damascus Gate steps

Auctioneer (in black cap)