Jewish worshippers pray in full view of police on Temple Mount
(photo credit: THE ASSOCIATION OF TEMPLE MOUNT ORGANIZATIONS)
The Jerusalem Post recently reported that on the night of January 7th, 2020 a small group of Muslim worshipers was arrested for causing a “disturbance” on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. According to the article, most of the worshipers left as police arrived, but six individuals were arrested at the scene. For those of us who don’t know what Temple Mount is, MyJewishLearning.com explains that “the Temple Mount refers to the elevated plaza above the Western Wall in Jerusalem that was the site of both of Judaism’s ancient temples. The site is also the third holiest in Islam (after Mecca and Medina) and has been a focal point of inter-religious tension for decades. At present, the site is under Israeli sovereignty but is administered by the Muslim Waqf (religious trust).” It also explains that while Jews and Muslims can enter, Jewish prayer was forbidden there. Apparently, according to an article by the Jerusalem Post on December 12th, 2019, this rule has been lifted, but the Israeli police claim that there never was a rule in place restricting Jewish Prayer. The Jerusalem Post explained that “In the past, the police would routinely eject or detain any non-Muslim seen to be praying in any way at the holy site, and this stance was mostly backed by the courts, which ruled that although in theory Jewish prayer was legal on the Temple Mount, the police were entitled to prevent it due to security considerations.”
Works Cited
“Jewish Prayer Has Returned to the Temple Mount – Exclusive.” The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com, 12 Dec. 2019, www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Jewish-prayer-has-returned-to-the-Temple-Mount-exclusive-610781.
Mjl. “What Is the Temple Mount?” My Jewish Learning, www.myjewishlearning.com/article/what-is-the-temple-mount/.
“Six Muslim Worshipers Arrested for Disturbances on the Temple Mount.” The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com, 8 Jan. 2020, www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Six-Muslim-worshipers-arrested-for-disturbances-on-the-Temple-Mount-613488.
