[VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Police report tens of thousands of mispallalim visited the Kosel on Sunday, 10 Menachem Av 5772, Tisha B’Av this year. Acting Jerusalem Police Commander Manny Yitzchaki closed Har HaBayis to Jews after he perceived right-wing activists were creating “tensions” which he feared would escalate. Police report 100 activists held a protest there, decrying the fact that Jews can only visit the Kosel but not Har HaBayis due to the protests of the Islamic community.

The daily Yisrael HaYom adds the decision to close Har HaBayis also followed a tip received by police that the right-wingers planned to create a disturbance and the commander decided to preempt with the closure order.

Jews from all walks of life gathered at the Kosel on Motzei Shabbos to bid farewell to the Shabbos Queen and turn their hearts in unified prayer to HaKadosh Baruch Hu in mourning for the Beis Hamikdash, reciting havdalah, reading eichah and telling over the story of the churban.

It must be noted that according to the Poskei Hador one is absolutely forbidden to visit the Temple Mount, and there is an Issur Kares for one that goes there.

Three years ago on Sukkos, Israeli President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukkah of Maran Hagon Rav Elyashiv ZATZAL, where Rav Elyashiv called on the President to prevent Jews from visiting Har HaBayis, stating it is an act that that is viewed as extremely provocative by the goyim. Maran stated everything possible must be done to avoid a religious war, and the provocateurs are playing with fire.

Maran is quoted as explaining to the president that Halacha forbids going onto Har HaBayis but today, it is more than this, it is an act that may lead to a religious war and bloodshed.

Credits: Yitzchok Russek – Kuvien Images – www.kuvienimages.com

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for the photos.

Click HERE to watch this video from a mobile device.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)