JERUSALEM // Israeli police arrested seven Palestinians following clashes between stone-throwing protesters and security forces in Jerusalem's Old City.
Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, said the clashes broke out on Wednesday when about 300 demonstrators tried to block a group of visitors from reaching a sensitive hilltop compound revered by both Jews and Muslims.
Masked men then began to throw stones, he said, which prompted the security forces to move in.
Some of the demonstrators sought refuge inside the nearby Al Aqsa Mosque, Mr Rosenfeld added.
Police did not enter the mosque, and no one was injured.
The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism.
Known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, it is Islam's third-holiest site.
Mr Rosenfeld said security had been heightened ahead of the Jewish New Year holiday.
