The Jerusalem District Court has rejected an appeal from Yehuda Glick, upholding the ban prohibiting from visiting Har Habayis.
Glick is banned from visiting Har Habayis by police. The Jerusalem Magistrate Court about a month ago ruled that Glick’s presence on Har Habayis is too dangerous and as such, limited visits to the holy site would be permitted in coordination with police. The court instructed police to permit limited visitation to Har Habayis, once monthly, providing Glick adheres to the restrictions. The restrictions prohibit Glick from bringing a smart phone of camera during a visit.
The court’s ruling may be premised on a pending case against Glick who stands alleged of assaulting an Arab woman. He denies the charges. The indictment and ban were in place before the attempted assassination against him. The court did not accept Glick’s contention that in his current state of health, he cannot possibly pose a threat to anyone during a visit, especially physically.
In an earlier district court ruling Glick explained “I am not a violent person”, adding he does not visit Har Habayis to provoke anyone or offend anyone and regarding the pending case against him, it is the result of a confrontation initiated by Arab women who objected to Jewish visitors to Har Habayis. The court fears a visit by Glick may precipitate another episode similar to this one.
In a review hearing in the Magistrate Court, the court explained the situation on Har Habayis is “explosive” and potential for conflict lies not only with Glick, but with others in different sectors including dati leumi and others. The court fears that any confrontation could rapidly escalated to serious incidents. Hence the Magistrate court decided to distance Glick.
The state wished to cancel the monthly escorted visit while Glick called to remove all restrictions against him.
In the latest ruling, the court explained that Glick’s wish to be permitted to carry a smartphone during a visit to document the actions of police attests to police fears that he is not just a regular visitor. The court feels this and other factors result in the opinion that a visit by Glick may turn into a problematic situation. The court feels the situation has not changed and therefore restrictions prohibiting Glick from visiting must remain in place.
Gedolei HaPoskim throughout the ages including Gedolei Hador Shlita today have ruled it is absolutely forbidden to visit Har Habayis, even if one does so in line with Halacha including tevila. This is also the ruling of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. This is an Issur Kares.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
Great!! I don’t understand why the government allows anyone on har habayis. It incites the Arabs to violence. They declared, the vehicle attacks at the train stops where because of Israelis on har habayis This is besides for the fact that it’s forbidden from a Halachic standpoint to go on the mountain.
@1 It also infuriates them that we breath, should we stop that to? In a democratic society such as Israel, allowing one domination to pray there while not allowing another, is discrimination plain and simple.
The court sides with Halacha? No way!!!
Rabbi Yehuda, tip your hat to them!!!
Ooops!!! Hat??? Mmmmm! That’s a problem! Sorry!
Thanks YWN for putting this bold disclaimer.
@2 There is a phenomenon called “hiskaros b’umos” we are not allowed to incite goyim to hate us. This means we don’t go out of our way to bother them, so no breathing won’t be included. Did you every ask yourself why people are compelled to go on har habayis. It’s to say to the Arabs “you can’t stop us, we can go where every we want”. Whoever goes up on har habayis has blood on his hands, you are contributing to their hatred and causing terror.
@2, you have to differentiate between things that most of our Rabbanim say not to do and breathing”. You dont have to give the Arabs and extra reason to incite.
Also, would you allow a Christan or Muslim service in your Shul? I know I wouldn’t. Why do you think its okay to invade their religious site?