IDF Central District Commander Major-General Nitzan Alon has given an order overriding two senior officers in his command.

Over recent weeks, Muslim worshipers in the Machpelah in Hebron desecrated and ripped out mezuzos and siddurim in the holy site. There were numerous vandalism attacks, prompting commanders to act. The area battalion commander, Colonel Avi Blut and Yehuda & Shomron Division Commander Brigadier-General Tamir Yedei prohibited Islamic worshipers between the ages of 18-35 into the Machpelah in the hope of preventing additional attacks.

In a rare move, Alon decided to override their decision and he canceled the restrictions set into place, opening the Machpelah to all Muslims. Alon is however concerned amid reports Islamic worshipers were delayed as they headed to Friday prayers and he wants to know why. Alon is looking at border police manning the entrance to explain why they delayed the Muslim worshipers. It was on Friday, after he lifted the ban, that another attack occurred.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)