Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Washington on Friday to press Israel to drop new security measures that are fuelling tensions at a contested Jerusalem holy site.

Abbas’ plea came during a telephone call with senior White House advisor Jared Kushner.

Abbas warned that the situation at the site known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and Jews as the Temple Mount was “very critical” and could spiral out of control.

Palestinians: clash with Israeli police after Friday prayers

The Palestinian president cut short a visit abroad and returned home early Friday to deal with the escalating crisis.

Israeli police restricted entry of Palestinians for Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Nobel Sanctuary area, to men over 50 years but did not impose any restrictions on women.

Israel had installed metal detectors last weekend after two Israeli police officers died in a Palestinian attack at the site.

NAN reports that Palestinians and Israeli police clashed in and around Jerusalem after the conclusion of Friday prayers.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that at least 20 people required hospitalization from rubber bullet wounds and teargas inhalation.

Palestinians unable to enter Al-Aqsa mosque due to new security restrictions held the prayers nearby, outside the wall of the Old City.

Muslim men under the age of 50 were not allowed access on Friday to a contested Jerusalem holy site where the mosque is located, inside the Old City.

he area has been the scene of repeated attacks.

Palestinians also held prayers at West Bank military checkpoints bordering Jerusalem.

Once the prayers were over, police moved toward the crowds gathered in the East Jerusalem business district and at the checkpoints, showering them with volleys of tear gas grenades and rubber bullets.

Israeli police said the response was prompted by the Palestinian crowds attacking members of the police after the noon prayer.

NAN