Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel spoke with Kol Chai Radio on Thursday morning 25 Tishrei. He was asked to comment on the order given to Israel Police by PM Netanyahu barring MKs and cabinet ministers from Har Habayis. Ariel explained he was not given any such order, but learned about it from media reports. He stated that he will continue visiting Har Habayis B’Kedusha and encourage others to do the same, but if prohibited from doing so by police he will abide by their orders.

Ariel explains he feels one cannot prohibit a Jewish politician from visiting the holy site, and doing so is not the correct response to the sharp increase in Arab terror. “It is not about sensitivities but we must call it what it is, terrorism. We must build an additional 1,000 homes in Yehuda and Shomron and this will act as a deterrent”.

Kol Chai:

Do you really believe that building homes will make a difference to the terrorist who decides to stab someone in Petach Tikvah or the Lion’s Gate?

Ariel:

It will make a difference to the Arab leadership and the leaders will get the message to the masses. You do not have to agree but I am confident this is the correct response and you can maintain a different opinion if you wish.

Ariel then spoke about the approach and he feels strongly that preventing Jews from visiting Har Habayis may be similar to the situation in Europe, where Jews are fearful to walk outside with a yarmulke. He feels that doing so in Israel is a mistake and here we must wear our yarmulke as we do and we must visit Har Habayis.

Ariel clarified that the new directive barring Members of Knesset and cabinet ministers from Har Habayis applies to Jews and Arabs alike.

In response to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s clarification, Arab Members of Knesset announced they will all visit Har Habayis on Friday, 26 Tishrei.

It must be noted: 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.

Six 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.

This is and remains the view of poskei hador. This is also the view of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Among the rabbonim who share this view are HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Halevy Wosner ZATZAL, HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita, Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita, Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, Maran Hagon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv ZT”l and many others.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)