The Israel Police continue to enforce the Jordanian Waqf's ban on Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, even on the holiday of Hanukkah that celebrates the redemption of the Temple.
This morning (Monday) a rabbi from Beit Shemesh was arrested on suspicion that during his time on the Temple Mount he said the “Aleinu Leshabeach” prayer - despite the fact that Israeli law stipulates the freedom of worship.
A lawyer from the legal defense organization Honenu is representing the rabbi, and after a provisional hearing, the rabbi was released and escorted off the complex grounds.
Later, a second Jewish individual was arrested for allegedly praying "Mi Sheberach," a prayer for the welfare of the sick.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the outlawed northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, continued to warn against Jewish “intrusion” onto the Al-Aqsa Mosque, this time in light of the Hanukkah holiday.
In his Friday sermon at Nazareth, Salah said that "the intention is to light the menorah each night of Hanukkah at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound or in front of the Mughrabi Gate, and to hold a procession on Thursday calling for construction of the Jewish Temple on the ruins of the Dome of the Rock."