Israeli Public Security plans to reopen the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Friday, a site considered sacred to both Jews and Muslims.  It was closed on Thursday to both amid escalating violence in Jerusalem and escalating rhetoric from what passes as “leaders” in the area.

Police Commander Moshe “Chico” Edri, barely a month into his new gig as Jerusalem’s top cop, says the Al Aqsa Mosque at the Temple Mount will be open to men older than 50 and women of all ages.  This is because of reports that Palestinian youths were planning to protest at the site.  Edri’s forces are also preparing for what could be a very contentious funeral. 

Palestinians already protested after Israeli police shot and killed 32-year old Mutaz Hijazi – a reputed member of Islamic Jihad – outside his home in Abu Tor in southern Jerusalem.  Police named Hijazi as the prime suspect in the shooting of American-Israeli Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick, who was critically wounded in an attack in Jerusalem after he delivered a speech about granting Jews more access to and prayers rights at the Temple Mount.

In the face of mounting violence, Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonowitz declared the site closed to both Arabs and Jews, angering both sides.  Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said it was tantamount to a “declaration of war”.  Drama much?  Right wing Jews later tried to storm past the police barricade and enter the Al Aqsa Mosque.

So, after all of this mess comes Friday’s funeral for Hijazi, which police have limited to 45 family members to cut down the chance of riots.  The Palestinian Fatah political group has called for a “day of rage” in Jerusalem on Friday.  Might be a long day.