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Following two consecutive days of Muslim violence on Har Habayis police on Tuesday morning 22 Sivan announced the holy site would remain closed to all non-Muslim visitors until after Ramadan.

The decision came after the morning began with a third day of violent confrontations with Muslims, who hurled stones in the direction of the Mughrabi Gate. One woman at the Kosel was struck and injured mildly by one of the rocks. Police were compelled to use riot-control measures to restore order.

Police reported arresting 16 Arabs involved in the violence and rock-throwing attacks.

Har Habayis activists decry the announced police decision, calling on Israel Police to deal with the Muslims appropriately and not close the site to others.

The injured woman, 73, was transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital with a head injury. Her condition was described as light.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat calls on police to continue maintaining law and order and protecting the religious status quo on Har Habayis. He adds police must not make major decisions under pressure and violence, citing only determination and protecting the religious status quo will result in maintaining law and order in the long run.

Gedolei Yisrael over the generations and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel prohibit visiting Har Habayis

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)