Thousands attend priestly blessing at Western Wall amid high security

Israeli security forces were on high alert Monday in Jerusalem’s Old City as thousands attended a mass Jewish blessing ceremony at the Western Wall to mark the Passover holiday.

The traditional benediction saw thousands of male descendants of the Cohanim priestly caste bless congregations during daily morning prayers. The ritual involves the raising of hands in a form similar to the "Vulcan salute" Leonard Nimoy borrowed from Judaism for his "Star Trek" role as Mr Spock.

Security was increased around the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Temple mount last week ahead of Passover, which began Friday at sundown, in an effort to prevent escalations in the city.

Tensions were already high in the flashpoint area of the Old City after thirteen Jewish visitors, including three minors and one Palestinian were removed from the Temple Mount complex Sunday for violating visitation rules at the holy site, Israeli police said.

According to a statement from the police spokesman, 800 people visited the Temple Mount Sunday morning, 685 of which were tourists.

The compound, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa mosque but to Jews as the Temple Mount, is holy to both religions, and the holiest site in Jerusalem. It is administered by a Jordanian trust or "Waqf" but Israel controls access.

The Jordanian government warned on Monday that there would be "serious consequences" if Israel continues to allow Jews to ascend the Temple Mount, Israel Radio reported.

According to the report, Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammed am-Momeni said that "the Israeli occupation and settlers are violating the rights of the worshipers at Al-Aqsa."

Israel accused Amman of misleading the public about its intentions.

"There is no place for such a statement. Israel is acting responsibly and Jordan knows this," an official said.

According to biblical tradition, the first and second Jewish temples were located at the site before being destroyed by the Babylonians and the Romans.

Clashes have often erupted at the site in recent years, over fears that Israel is plotting to change rules which currently state that Muslims can pray there, while Jews can visit but are not allowed to pray.

Israel has in the past limited Muslim access to al-Aqsa Mosque on the site, especially in times of heightened tension and around important holidays.

On March 20, Jordan said it would set up security cameras around the flashpoint compound to monitor any Israeli "violations," but last week back tracked on the decision after Palestinian objections, saying that the cameras could become "a potential source of conflict."

"Israel's support for placing cameras on the Temple Mount remains unchanged. That's because we believe in transparency," an Israeli official told AFP.

As the Passover holiday approached, Jerusalem conveyed messages to Jordan and the Palestinian authority emphasizing that Israeli is committed to the status quo at Jerusalem's Temple Mount and seeks to maintain calm during the holiday.

The message also said that at the same time, Israel would not accept deliberate provocations and attempts to inflame tensions.

Friday morning, police detained a total of ten Jewish activists who attempted to gain access to the Temple Mount to carry out the Biblical Passover sacrifice. One of the activists, Noam Federman of the banned ultranationalist Kach party, attempts to make the sacrifice every year, said the Israeli daily Haaretz.

At least four of the people arrested were minors. Four baby goats which were intended to be sacrificed were confiscated by police and transferred to the municipality’s animal control department.

Police said that the activists "threatened to undermine the peace."

The Western Wall, in east Jerusalem, is believed to be among the last remnants of the second Jewish Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

The hill above the wall is revered as the site of the temple itself. It is known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary.

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13 Jews, Palestinian ejected from Temple Mount as Israel seeks to maintain calm