Israel Restricts Muslim Visits to Shrine

By JASON KEYSER, Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM - Israel limited access of Muslim worshippers to a disputed
shrine for special Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan,
setting off an angry scuffle, while the United States offered a $5
million reward in the investigation of a deadly bombing of a U.S.
convoy.

About 175,000 Palestinians flocked to the sacred hilltop plaza in
Jerusalem for Ramadan prayers, while others were turned away at army
checkpoints. Control over the site, revered by Muslims and Jews, is
one of the most hotly contested issues in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.

In the West Bank town of Bethlehem, soldiers prevented a few hundred
worshippers from entering Jerusalem and some tried to push and shove
their way through. Troops fired a stun grenade, setting off a loud
blast. One Palestinian was reported slightly injured.

Israel has been enforcing a strict travel ban in the past three years
of fighting, preventing most Palestinians from reaching Israel.

Fearing youths would provoke clashes with Israeli forces during
Ramadan prayers, police were allowing only older, married
Palestinians to pray at the site Friday. Men had to be older than 45,
and women at least 35, said Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuelik Ben-
Ruby. Police set the quota at 4,000 from the West Bank and 1,000 from
the Gaza Strip (news - web sites).

Asked about the scuffles at the Bethlehem checkpoint, the military
said that Palestinian officials in the city had not provided lists of
names of worshippers, preventing soldiers from allowing people past
checkpoints. The army said soldiers needed to screen lists for
possible security risks.

Separately, the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv said the State Department
was offering a $5 million reward for information that helps find
those behind the roadside bomb attack that destroyed a U.S.
diplomatic vehicle and killed three American security guards. The
Oct. 15 attack in Gaza led the United States to suspend official
travel to the coastal territory and has also set back U.S.
involvement in peace efforts.