Zahalka (file)
Zahalka (file)Flash 90

MK Jamal Zahalka, who has made a career of castigating Jewish aspirations to the Temple Mount, and is generally not considered particularly “friendly” to Jews, was the victim of a “Jewish joke” this week. Unknown parties apparently hacked into his cellphone and switch his message greeting from the typical “leave a message” to something a little more “Jewish” - the Shema prayer.

The “trick” was discovered by Yediot Aharonot reporter Amichai Atalai, when he called up Zahalka but was transferred to voicemail.

The Shema prayer, the universal declaration of Jewish faith, is one of the most commonly recited Jewish prayers, said at least twice a day in the morning and evening services.

According to Atalai, who wrote a post describing the incident on his Facebook page, the hackers also changed Zahalka's password, so that he himself is unable to get into his account and change the message back to what it was. He added that Zahalka has asked the Knesset guard and the police to look into the incident.

Right-wing activists said it was just desserts for the vociferously anti-Jewish MKs.

Several weeks ago, for example, Zahalka harassed police who were allowing Jewish visitors to visit the Temple Mount, going on a rant against police and Israeli officials.

"Why do you allow them in?" Zahalka was recorded shouting at police officers. "The hell with them, it's just a provocation to hurt the feelings of Muslims. You are criminals, lunatics! "You are here in our place [i.e. Muslims - ed.], this is my home."

Despite the fact that the Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism, Jewish visits are strictly regulated and Jews are forbidden from praying there.