Beginning on Monday 11 Kislev, police are limiting the size of groups of Jewish visitors to Har Habayis to a maximum of 15. This ceiling on the maximum size of groups did not exist in the past. Police are also compelling those wishing to visit Har Habayis to register in advance.

Activists from Har Habayis organizations add that police limit the number of visitors to 60 daily, 45 in the morning and 15 during the afternoon visiting hours. Many of the activists have already declared they do not plan to cooperate with the new regulation, adding “It has a scent of racism and anti-Semitism which are contrary to the principles of freedom of worship and freedom of access to holy sites”. They call on the general public to continue visiting Har Habayis in large numbers, without prior reservation.

Police explain they will be giving priority to those persons who register in advance and those do not will not be permitted on Har Habayis.

It is added that Gedolei Yisrael throughout the generations have ruled one may not visit Har Habayis. This is the ruling of Gedolei Yisrael today as well, in addition to being the position of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)