Jews banned from entering Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av
The Israeli government and Jerusalem police banned Jews from visiting the Temple Mount on Sunday, during the mourning day of Tisha B’Av on which the destruction of the two Temples is commemorated.
Photo: TPS
The police announced they were shutting down the holy site to Jews as the Muslims were celebrating the holiday of Eid al-Adha, and they feared that the throngs of Muslims would clash with the Jews.
Muslim leaders over the weekend called on Jerusalem’s Muslims to attend prayers at the Temple Mount and ensure that Jews could not visit the site during their day of national mourning.
Scores of Jews stood at the entrance to the Temple Mount for hours while fasting, waiting for the police to admit them.
The Muslims began to riot after their prayers concluded and police forces stormed the compound while using crowd control means. At least three police officers were injured.
Hamas hung a mass banner on the Temple Mount conveying their holiday greetings to the Muslim worshippers, in violation of Israel’s sovereignty at the site.
Member of Knesset Nir Barkat, formerly Jerusalem mayor. called on the police to allow the Jews to visit the holy site and not surrender to Muslim violence.
Earlier in the day, a Jew walking through the Old City in Jerusalem was moderately injured by a bottle thrown at him, presumably by Muslims.
Similarly, Jews driving towards the Kotel, the Western Wall, were attacked while passing through an Arab neighborhood. Both cars were heavily damaged, but no Jews were injured in the attacks.
