ISRAELI police dispersed Palestinian worshippers at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque today with tear gas, sound grenades and rubber bullets.

Thousands of people had gathered at the mosque for the first day of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha — which coincided with the Jewish observation of Tisha B’Av, a day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of the temple which once occupied the site, considered sacred to both religions and known as Temple Mount among Jews and the Noble Sanctuary by Muslims.

By long-standing agreement with Jordanian authorities, who maintain the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, Israel prohibits Jews to worship on Temple Mount, and Israeli police initially barred Jewish visitors yesterday but subsequently allowed some in under escort, provoking an angry reaction from Muslim worshippers. The site lies in East Jerusalem, Palestinian land occupied by Israel since 1967, and many Palestinians fear Israeli politicians demanding access for Jews aim at taking over the area. Jerusalem district police chief Doron Yedid said the decision to allow Jewish visitors in had been made “with the backing of top political officials.”