Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, responding to a parliamentary query from MK Uri Ariel (National Religious Party/National Union) stated that Jews and tourists should be fully protected and allowed full access to tour the area east of the Temple Mount, above the Kidron Valley. The query was into response to an incident in which a Border Policeman denied access to a group of Israelis who regularly strolled through the area.
Ariel hailed the decision as signifying that Israelis are becoming increasingly connected to Jerusalem as its eternal capital. Waxing poetic, he quoted a Biblical verse which discusses appointing watchmen over Jerusalem, followed by a verse which describes people from all over congregating in Jerusalem, interpreting the verse as referring to a rise in tourist activity.
Ariel hailed the decision as signifying that Israelis are becoming increasingly connected to Jerusalem as its eternal capital. Waxing poetic, he quoted a Biblical verse which discusses appointing watchmen over Jerusalem, followed by a verse which describes people from all over congregating in Jerusalem, interpreting the verse as referring to a rise in tourist activity.