Israel Police on Tuesday morning, Tisha B’Av 5773 announced it was closing Har Habayis to all non-Muslims. Commanders explained the decision followed an evaluation of the situation including the incident in which Jews were expelled from Har Habayis on erev Tisha B’Av after Muslims objected to their presence.
Among the mispallalim on Tisha B’Av prevented from entering Mughrabi Gate were Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli. Despite their positions and the 200 people in the group accompanying them, police remained firm and the gate remained closed to them all.
It must be noted that according to the Poskei Hador one is absolutely forbidden to visit the Temple Mount, and there is an Issur Kares for one that goes there.
Four years ago on Sukkos, Israeli President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukkah of Maran Hagon Rav Elyashiv ZATZAL, where Rav Elyashiv called on the President to prevent Jews from visiting Har HaBayis, stating it is an act that that is viewed as extremely provocative by the goyim. Maran stated everything possible must be done to avoid a religious war, and the provocateurs are playing with fire.
Maran is quoted as explaining to the president that Halacha forbids going onto Har HaBayis but today, it is more than this, it is an act that may lead to a religious war and bloodshed.
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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Smart move. They shouldn’t be up there anyway so this decision will be applauded by virtually all Israelis except for the few fanatics who want to ignore the gadolim who say its assur and the police who say it will cause rioting.
Gadolhadorah I strongly suggest you read this well written reply to you earlier comment by jms:
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/?p=177832#comment-350851
The people who go up on Har Habayis have on whom to rely, and their actions are to some extent seen as crucial by people in the security establishment though they will never admit that in front of a camera.
If they don’t continue going there I have no doubt the violence will at some point be about Jews visiting the Kotel plaze.