Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is working hard to allay fears amid threats from Muslims that they will not tolerate Jews visiting Har Habayis during Pesach. Mr. Netanyahu sent messages to Jordan and the PA (Palestinian Authority) assuring leaders there is not and will not be any shift in the religious status quo on Har Habayis and all reports to the contrary are not based in fact.

As the PA, Fatah and others are working hard to incite and fuel the machlokes surrounding Har Habayis, some senior cabinet ministers are working to allay fears and prevent an escalation of Arab violence during Pesach. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon this week called on all concerned to obey the law and distance from provocation surrounding Har Habayis.

The senior minister commented after the PA-appointment Mufti and the Jerusalem Fatah Tanzim leader are determined to spark confrontations surrounding Har Habayis during yomtov.

In addition, Har Habayis activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick released a call to Am Yisrael to come and visit Har Habayis in accordance to the law over Pesach.

Gedolei Yisrael over the generations and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel prohibit visiting Har Habayis.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)