An Israeli far-right activist was shot and wounded outside in Jerusalem on Wednesday outside a conference promoting a Jewish campaign to be permitted to pray at an Old City compound holy to both Jews and Muslims, Israeli media reported.

Police confirmed only that a man on a motorcycle had shot and wounded a Jewish rabbi in his 50s outside the Menachem Begin Centre complex located near the walled Old City.

Israel's Ynet Web site and Army Radio said the man shot was a leading activist in a far-right movement to win Jews permission to pray at the al-Aqsa mosque. It is known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount and has been the scene of frequent clashes in recent weeks.

Reuters