Israeli police and Arab protesters clashed in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras el-Amud on Friday afternoon, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported.

The clash came as Israeli security forces were on high alert throughout Jerusalem after a week of violence in the Old City area, located in the Arab-dominated East Jerusalem which Palestinians claim to be the capital of their future state.

Eleven policemen were lightly wounded in the clash, of whom seven were treated at the scene and four evacuated to hospital, said the report, adding that two men suspected of throwing rocks at security forces were arrested and will be interrogated.

Between 100 and 200 policemen, including riot police with shields, used tear gas and stun grenades to try and disperse the crowds in Ras el-Amud, pushing the protesters back into the alleyways of the neighborhood, according to the report.

Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and in refugee camps in Syria held mass demonstrations, protesting over Israel's decision to restrict entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, whichis inside the holy site in the Old City, known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, to Muslims and as the Temple Mountto Jews.

In Jerusalem, many Muslims held prayers in their neighborhoods, as men under 50 were not permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa mosque on Fridays for security reasons.

Generally, Muslims pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque while Jews pray at the Western Wall outside it.

On Sunday, Israeli police and Arab protesters clashed outside the Temple Mount, in which at least one policeman was injured and three protesters arrested.

During the confrontation, some 150 Arabs threw stones and bottles at Israeli security forces before being dispersed.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2009)