[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Jews visiting Har Habayis on Sunday, 25 Tishrei 5774, asked a policeman to instruct Arab youths to stop playing soccer on the holy site. A Jewish policeman instructed them to stop, but the youths did not heed his word.

The Jews then dealt with the other policeman, an Arab, Ashraf, who instead of telling the youths to stop playing soccer told the Jews “if you continue speaking I will detain you. You are making trouble here.”

The reality is that the law prohibiting playing soccer is not enforced and the Arabs and the Muslim Waqf Authority do as they please on Har Habayis.

The verbal confrontation between the Jew filming the soccer game and the Arab policeman continues. Ashraf instructs the Jew to bring the matter to the attention of authorities as it is not his place to interfere with the soccer game. The Jew informs him the High Court of Justice has prohibited it and therefore as one responsible for law enforcement it is his job. Ashraf tells the man that his actions and behavior may lead to charges against him for disturbing the peace.

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.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)