Police commanders have issued an explanation for the sudden closure of the Temple Mount to non-Muslim visitors on Tisha B’Av – the day when Jews mourn the Temple. Police said there were threats to cause a riot at the site.

Jewish organizations for Temple-related activism said, “We must be thankful that the police have come to understand that closing the Temple Mount to Jews is in contradiction to the right to freedom of worship. However, it should be noted that – contrary to what Mr. Barkat said – this is not this first time that the police has discriminated between Muslims and Jews on the Temple Mount.”