Members of the right-wing opposition Ichud HaLeumi on Thursday rejected police attempts to distance them from an area of Jerusalem’s Old City near Har Habayis, telling police they will exercise their right to visit any area of the capital they please.
Taking part in the walking tour were MKs Yaakov Katz, Prof. Aryeh Eldad, Dr. Michael Ben-Ari and Uri Ariel. Police called the visit provocative but the MKs would not be intimidated, standing their ground and refusing to comply with police instructions to leave the area.
The MKs expressed anger over the fact that machinegun touting police were on hand to block their route, explaining they visit monthly and plan to continue doing so in the future. They added that last month, their visit was canceled as a result of the visit of US Vice President Joseph Biden.
When asked if they view their actions a provocative, the MKs rejected the criticism, explaining they have a right to visit any areas of Eretz Yisrael. Eldad questioned if King David’s decision to attack was questioned “due to tense times”, adding that he had to contend with the Romans and Babylonians.
Ben-Ari joined in, reminding reporters that while American has been around for 200 plus years, and Islam 1,300 years, the Jews have a history dating back 3,000 and as such, US President Obama and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) will not prevent them from exercising their rights.
Following the intervention of Knesset Speaker Rivlin the MKs were permitted to continue on their way.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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5 Responses
Irresponsible people!
Yes, you have rights, but you are inflaming Arab passions, for no discernible benefit, whatsoever.
Will these MK’s take responsibility for anyone who gets hurt or killed, because of their BeDavkanik behavior?
As per #1 – stupid idiots just seeking to provocate.
I most certainly do understand them, and yes, honestly, objectively, they are completely right. There should not be any reason why Jews should be unable to walk around Har HaBayis (not even on it!). Besides, doesn’t the Zionist State keep on telling the whole world how “Jerusalem is UNITED”? “Jerusalem is ONE”? Yeah, right.
#1 – You said it. These people are putting lives at risk just so they can make a point.
#2 – There is a very good reason that Israel should not let jews on ar near Har Habayis. It’s called pikuach nefushos.
#4 – Nobody is saying that the arabs are correct. We are saying that intentionally provoking them for no other reason is stupid and dangerous.
#6 – Of course the arabs want to kill us, but if we were smart we wouldn’t give them an excuse in the eyes of the world to start up with us.