Jews and Christians barred from Temple Mount
It's back to 1948-67 in Jerusalem. For the first time since 1967's Six Day War, Jews and Christians are officially barred from the Temple Mount. The Israeli government is currently banning all non-Muslims from ascending the Temple Mount, considered the holiest site in Judaism.Read the whole thing. I've mentioned several times that I won't ascend the Mount because my rabbis don't allow it. But still, is this freedom of religion?
"It seems freedom of religion in Israel is only for Muslims and not for Christians and Jews," Danny Danon, deputy speaker of the Knesset, told WND, referring to the new restrictions.
Jerusalem Police spokesman Shmulik Ben Ruby confirmed to WND that Jews and Christians are restricted from entering the Temple Mount due to safety concerns over the main access gate for non-Muslims, known as the Mughrabi Bridge.
Yesterday, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat officially ordered the bridge to be indefinitely closed due to petitions from the city's Antiquities Authority citing fears the weakened wooden structure may collapse or catch fire.
There are 15 gates leading into the Temple Mount compound, 10 of which are in use, but for Muslims only.
The Mughrabi Gate, located at the Western Wall plaza, is the only access for non-Muslims to enter the site, meaning its closure now prevents Jews, Christians and any tourists from visiting until a replacement structure is built.
Ben Ruby said there are no immediate plans for any of the 10 entrances to the Mount to be opened for non-Muslims, citing security concerns.
A replacement bridge could take several months to build. Arab countries are already warning any construction in the sensitive area could lead to violence, claiming the Jewish state is using the bridge renovation to threaten the al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the mount.
Labels: freedom of religion, Temple Mount
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:30 AM
5 Comments:
Thank you for all the work you do on this blog. Your articles are informative and concise. I appreciate the time and thought you put into your writing.
Ugh. The media keeps talking about the access point being a "sensitive" area for Muslims. Nonsense. They're overjoyed that they've figured out a way to keep Jews out of our holiest site. Sensitivity, if there was any, would be directed towards the Jews not the Muslims.
Carl - FWIW - My kids and I, who all wear larger-than-normal non-standard kippot, once accidentally took a wrong turn onto Har haBayit - and no one stopped us. So it can be done...
That this decision should come so close to Chanuka is ironic. It is time to take strength from Newt Gingrich's initiatve in telling the truth about the history of this region. If the Israeli government continues to abdicate its responsibility to excercise sovereignty over this place, it is time to pack up, stop pretending to any notion of Jewish statehood.
Code Na Nach Nachman! I'll inform all group-commanders at once!
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