“There is no reason not to allow Jews to visit the Temple Mount, even without the Moslem Waqf’s permission.” So said Police Superintendent Chaim Klein, formerly the head of the Israel Police Intelligence Section, speaking recently to a group of Public Security Ministry officials. The GSS also agrees that the Temple Mount can be opened to Jews, and Prime Minister Sharon himself said several months ago that he plans to change the status quo on the Temple Mount. The site has been closed to Jews since the beginning of the Oslo War two years ago.
The Temple Mount (not the Western Wall, which is merely a part of a retaining wall) is the holiest Jewish site in the world. According to Jewish Law, Jews may visit certain areas on the Mount, and only after taking certain precautions beforehand. Even so, most Israeli rabbis do not encourage it.
Prof. Hillel Weiss of Professors for a Strong Israel told Arutz-7 today that if Sharon sees that the Israeli public accepts the continuing closure of the Temple Mount, “it will be convenient for him to perpetuate the status quo.”
Over 350,000 Jews visited the Western Wall this past week of Sukkot, according to Religious Affairs Ministry statistics.
The Temple Mount (not the Western Wall, which is merely a part of a retaining wall) is the holiest Jewish site in the world. According to Jewish Law, Jews may visit certain areas on the Mount, and only after taking certain precautions beforehand. Even so, most Israeli rabbis do not encourage it.
Prof. Hillel Weiss of Professors for a Strong Israel told Arutz-7 today that if Sharon sees that the Israeli public accepts the continuing closure of the Temple Mount, “it will be convenient for him to perpetuate the status quo.”
Over 350,000 Jews visited the Western Wall this past week of Sukkot, according to Religious Affairs Ministry statistics.