American officials warned U.S. citizens last Friday not to enter Jerusalem's Old City during the week-long holiday of Sukkot, when celebrations are at their height and numerous activities for families and children are offered almost around the clock.
One of the events is the blessing pronounced by the priests at the Western Wall of the Temple on Monday, which the consular service names as a particular day to stay away. The Warden's Warning says, "Political and religious tensions are expected to be high in the areas immediately adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound throughout this period. A large police presence in the area may provoke spontaneous violence in the form of civil unrest and police actions." The long history of violence perpetrated by Arab worshippers at the mosque is omitted by the State Department.