Israeli police officers take positions on the roof of al-Aqsa mosque during clashes with Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem’s Old City.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered police to bar ministers and lawmakers from visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Occupied Jerusalem, the Haaretz daily reported on Wednesday.

Clashes have rocked the compound in recent weeks amid a spike in tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

The latest reported measure to bar Israeli politicians from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound would be aimed at lowering tensions and reducing the level of Palestinian violence.

The Al-Aqsa compound is the third-holiest site in Islam. It is located in Occupied East Jerusalem, annexed by Israel in 1967 in a move never recognized by the international community.

Muslims fear Israel will seek to change rules and the status-quo that governs the site, which allow Jews to only visit and not pray to avoid provoking tensions.

An increase in visits by Jews in recent weeks over a series of Jewish holidays has added to tensions.