Deputy Finance Minister (Shas) Yitzchak Cohen has come out against the possibility of removing the ban prohibiting Members of Knesset from visiting Har Habayis. He explains “The is a halachic prohibition for Jewish MKs to visit Har Bayis, violating a psak halacha of many rabbonim, gedolim over the generations headed by HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L”.

Cohen is referring to a possible compromise to permit Arab MKs to visit Har Habayis during Ramadan, which will also result in permitting Jewish MKs to visit the site.

“I call for exhibiting responsibility and to continue the ban on visiting Har Habayis for all MKs. Har Habayis is not a political venue and not Hyde Park – for clashes and provocations” added Cohen, concluding “It is the site of the First and Second Beis HaMikdash and where B’ezras Hashem the Third Beis Hamikdash will be built and therefore, there is no room for those starting [political] fires or those who poison the wells of any kind”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)