Several Israelis detained on Temple Mount during Tisha B’Av
Several Israelis were detained on the Temple Mount on Thursday as Israel marked the day of mourning of Tisha B’Av, on which the destruction of the two Temples is commemorated.
Israelis ascend to the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av. Photo: Yaacov Ben Moshe/TPS
Hundreds of Israelis ascended to the holy site, the police enabling groups of 20 to enter every two minutes, as several hundred others waited for their turn amid the heat and high summer temperatures and while fasting.
Israelis ascend to the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av. Photo: Yaacov Ben Moshe/TPS
At least 18 worshippers were detained for praying or prostrating themselves at the holy site, actions still deemed illegal for Jews at Judaism’s holiest site.
The detainees were released after their personal details were recorded. They may face legal action in the future.
At the Kotel, the authorities limited the number of Israelis entering the site to 1,000 to enable them to maintain social distancing during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Jewish worshippers gather for Tisha B’Av prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. To adhere to Coronavirus guidelines, “capsules” to keep small groups of worshippers separated. Photo by Elron Zabatani/TPS
The Kotel plaza is usually packed with tens of thousands of visitors on Tisha B’Av.
TPS
