[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Freedom of religion is a foreign concept for anyone but Muslims on Har Habayis. In yet another case in which a Jew is detained for seeking to daven, Michael Fuah was removed from the holy site on 19 Tishrei after he dared to bench lulav.

An official of the Islamic Waqf witnessed the act and summoned a policeman, who confiscated the arba minim, detained Fuah, and removed him and his entourage from the site.

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)