Jews visit Temple Mount after Muslim radicals barricade themselves in Al Aqsa Mosque
The number of Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount reportedly rose by 43% compared to last year’s Passover holiday
Some 842 Jewish pilgrims arrived at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Sunday, which marks the day of the Birkat Kohanim or “priestly blessings.”
The number of Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount reportedly rose by 43% compared to last year’s Passover holiday. The Temple Mount administration, who supervised the visit, thanked Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Israel Police Chief Kobi Shabtai for their "dedication as part of attempts to permit the entry of Jewish worshippers to the site."
Prior to the Jewish pilgrims visit, a number of radical Muslims had barricaded themselves in the Al Aqsa Mosque on Saturday, triggering fears of new violence on the Temple Mount. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry warned Israel of “catastrophic consequences” if Israeli police forces were to enter the mosque to remove the Muslim rioters. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is formally the custodian of mosques erected on top of the Temple Mount.
Israel's Foreign Ministry responded by urging Jordan and the Waqf guards who maintain security at the mosque to stop the Muslim radicals.
“We call on Jordan, through the Waqf guards, to immediately remove from the Al-Aqsa Mosque these extremists who are planning to riot tomorrow during Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount and the Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall,” the Foreign Ministry stated.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently condemned the Israeli police for actions taken in Al Aqsa Mosque and urged the Muslim world to unite against Israel.
“I condemn the vile acts against the first qiblah of Muslims in the name of my country and people, and I call for the attacks to be halted as soon as possible,” said Erdogan.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
