An Israeli Jew has been shot dead near Jerusalem's Western Wall after a guard mistook him for a Palestinian militant, police say.

Gunfire was heard on Friday morning at the wall - one of Judaism's holiest sites where hundreds of worshippers were attending prayers at the time.

Police say the guard shot the man after hearing him shout "Allahu Akbar".

The area, which is patrolled by armed guards, closed to visitors for about an hour but has now reopened.

The incident took place at about 07:40 local time (04:40 GMT) as the man emerged from a public toilet at the wall compound.

A police spokesman said the guard drew his weapon and fired a number of shots at the man after hearing him shout "Allahu Akbar" (God is great, in Arabic).

The man had his hands in his pockets at the time he was approached by the guard, the spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, said.

The Western Wall is part of the Temple Mount (known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif). It is venerated by Jews as a remnant from the complex which housed the Jewish temple until 70AD.

Jews go to the Western Wall to pray and leave prayers on pieces of paper between its ancient stones.

The site and the area around it has in the past been a flashpoint for violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-midd...-east-22998915

Seorang pria Yahudi Israel tewas ditembak di dekat Tembok Ratapan Yerusalem karena diduga sebagai pejuang Palestina, kata polisi.

Suara tembakan terdengar Jumat pagi di salah satu situs suci Yahudi yang dikunjungi ribuan peziarah setiap pekan.

Seorang juru bicara polisi mengatakan penjaga situs menarik pistolnya dan melepaskan beberapa kali tembakan setelah mendengar pria itu berteriak "Allahu Akbar."

Ratusan peziarah sedang mengikuti doa pagi saat insiden terjadi. Kini daerah itu ditutup untuk umum.

Penembakan terjadi pada pukul 07:40 waktu setempat (10:40 WIB).
Media Israel melaporkan, pria itu terlihat mengambil sesuatu dari kantongnya setelah ia keluar dari toilet umum.

Umat Yahudi datang ke Tembok Ratapan untuk berdoa dan meninggalkan kertas di antara bebatuan kuno.

Lokasi itu menjadi lokasi kekerasan antara Israel dan Palestina selama bertahun-tahun.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/indonesia/dunia..._ratapan.shtml