Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan is calling on Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon to declare the so-called ‘Almoravid’ on Har Habayis illegal. He refers to the fulltime Arab provocateurs who are there to provoke and agitate and at times attack Jewish visitors to the holy site.

Erdan sent a letter to Ya’alon in which he details how these agitators monitor and harass Jews who visit Har Habayis, shouting at them and at times inciting a disturbances. He emphasizes their entire goal is to distance Jews wishing to visit the site and he promises to do everything he can to limit the activities of these groups.

Erdan is calling on Ya’alon to act in an urgent fashion to declare these activities “an illegal gathering” in line with the authority of his office according to Regulation 84 of the Emergency Self Defense Regulations. Erdan’s office in recent weeks has been in contact with the State Prosecutor’s Office, Israel Police, the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), and other relevant legal experts to lay the groundwork for such a declaration by Ya’alon.

Erdan has gathered photographic evidence regarding the activities of these agitators, who are backed by the Northern Branch of the Israel Islamic Association. Erdan insists the religious state quo on Har Habayis must be maintained and these actions must be halted.

In his letter to Ya’alon, Erdan included opinions from Israel Police and ISA officials, pointing out that curtailing the activities the Almoravid will considerably simplify enforcing the law on Har Habayis.

It is added that Gedolei Yisrael throughout the generations have ruled one may not visit Har Habayis. This is the ruling of Gedolei Yisrael today as well, in addition to being the position of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)