Israel has beefed up security in Jerusalem's Old City by constructing a watchtower at the main Muslim entrance, drawing criticism from the Palestine side, claiming it is an attempt to block their access.
In February, Israel's government finished construction on the controversial watchtower at the Damascus Gate entrance to Jerusalem's Old City Muslim Quarter. There are now four Israeli guard positions at Damascus Gate.
The Israelis said the watchtower is necessary considering that the place is prone to terrorist attacks.
"We know that here there are going to be terrorist attacks and we know there are going to be future terrorist attacks. Whatever amount of security that is necessary, needs to be implemented here," said Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
But the Palestinians say it was deliberately constructed by the Israeli side to restrict their movement.
"It's a military point to restrict the movement of Palestinians in their own city and it completes or is part of a whole system of checkpoints that is built and designed strictly to prosecute, to slow down and create an inhabitable environment for the Palestinians in their own city," said Dimitri Diliani, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council.
Rosenfeld vehemently denied the accusation, saying it was "absolutely incorrect, absolutely inaccurate and everybody who says that is using that against Israel."
According to Rosenfeld, 360 closed-circuit television cameras are installed inside the Old City and allow for even better security.
