Saudi Arabian King Salman has turned to the United States to become involved to bring an end to the recent conflict on Har Habayis. Following the fatal Islamic terror attack last Friday morning, Israel closed Har Habayis to all, which elicited the ire of the Muslim community. It was outraged over the closure because it once again showed Israel’s sovereignty over the site and not that of the Waqf Authority, which objected to the closure. Nevertheless, the site remained closed to all, including Muslims, until Sunday afternoon.

The Islamic community is up in arms over the fact Israel has placed metal detectors on Har Habayis. This once again showing who is sovereign on the site, which has angered Islamic leaders who have begun false allegations of Israel harming al-Aqsa Mosque. What is true is the Muslim community prefers to ignore the discovery of weapons on Har Habayis, discover by police who conducted a search during the closure. It was the first Israeli closure of Har Habayis that included Muslims in decades

Israel closed the site for the first time in decades after three Arab Israeli citizens opened fire from the holy compound using automatic weapons, killing two police officers before they were shot and killed. The compound has subsequently been reopened.

According to London-based Arabic Elaph News, the decision to reopen the site on Sunday was the result of United States involvement. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s message was a clear one, the status quo on Har Habayis would not be compromised in any way.

Netanyahu explained the Elaph report said, that the metal detectors at the site were part of security measures meant to combat terrorism. The news source adds that PM Netanyahu has invited Saudi officials to visit and see for themselves.

Not wishing to be ignored, Jordanian officials have become vocal over the closure, as has the PA (Palestinian Authority) leadership, all committed to using the situation to turn the situation around against Israelis much as possible. The terror attack is ignored by the Muslim community is trying its utmost to compel the administration to make some sort of concession to the Islamic community to signal a win and to show that Islam, and not Israel, rules over the Mount.

Gedolei Yisrael over the generations and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel prohibit visiting Har Habayis, which they explain carries the punishment of karess.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)