[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Housing Minister Uri Ariel used the Knesset podium to address the issue of Jews visiting Har Habayis.

Ariel explained that he visits Har Habayis in line with instructions from his rabbonim, but he does not enter al-Aqsa because of “the Arabs and their chutzpah”. He makes reference to the recent sentence handed down against Sheikh Raid Salah, who was just sentenced to an 8-month prison term for his anti-Israel activities. Salah, who heads the northern branch of the Israel Islamic Association, has been imprisoned by Israel on a number of occasions for his actions to benefit terror organizations. Ariel comments he would have sentenced Salah to “8 years, not 8 months”.

Ariel praises PM Netanyahu’s comments to the AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Conference, making reference to King David and holy sites and Israel’s rights to these locations.

IN the video below, the Arab MKs can be heard in the background shouting and responding to Ariel’s statements.

It must be noted that according to the Poskei Hador one is absolutely forbidden to visit the Har Habayis, and there is an Issur Kares for one that goes there.

Five years ago on Sukkos, President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukka of Maran HaGaon 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.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)