Police are preparing for possible riots in Jerusalem on Friday after violent protests and unrest swept across the Arab world this week in response to the inflammatory Innocence of Muslims video.

Border Police and other patrol units will fan out across the Old City ahead of traditional Friday prayers.

“We hope there will be no public disturbances but police will respond to them,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Thursday.

Police have not announced restricted access to the Temple Mount ahead of the expected protests. Often if serious rioting is anticipated only men over age 40 are allowed to enter.

In a rare move, the US State Department also issued a travel warning for Jerusalem, urging American citizens to “defer nonessential travel and exercise caution.” (© 1995-2011, The Jerusalem Post 09/14/12)