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Israel Lifts Restrictions in Jerusalem, West Bank

   VOA News 17 March 2010
   Palestinian protestors try to burn an Israeli flag during clashes with
   Israeli troops, not seen, in east Jerusalem, 16 Mar 2010

Photo: AP

   Palestinian protestors try to burn an Israeli flag during clashes with
   Israeli troops, not seen, in east Jerusalem, 16 Mar 2010

   Israel has lifted restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank and at
   a  Jerusalem  shrine,  after  imposing  limits  last  week  because of
   security concerns.
   Officials  Wednesday  canceled  limits  on  Palestinian  access to the
   Al-Aqsa  mosque  compound,  a  flashpoint  for  confrontations between
   Israeli police and Palestinians.  A lockdown of the occupied West Bank
   also was lifted.
   The  move  comes  one day after the heaviest clashes in months erupted
   across Jerusalem between Palestinians and Israeli forces.
   However,  Israel  says  thousands of police remain on high alert after
   rock-throwing  Palestinians  clashed  with  Israeli security forces in
   East Jerusalem Tuesday.
   Palestinians  were angered by Israel's decision Monday to rededicate a
   synagogue  near  the Al-Aqsa site. They also were upset about Israel's
   decision last week to build 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem.
   Authorities  say  more  than  a  dozen  people  were  injured  and  60
   Palestinians were arrested in Tuesday's clashes.
   The  Al-Aqsa  mosque is located on a site that is holy to both Muslims
   and  Jews.   The  compound  houses the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest
   site.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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