For the first time in 10 years, Israel Defense Forces soldiers in uniform visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Sunday. The presence of soldiers on the Mount has been prohibited since the second Intifada in 2000.
Ten IDF paratroopers were permitted to enter the Mount area – the holiest Jewish site – accompanied by Temple Mount Police Commander Superintendent Avi Biton.
Palestinian media described the event as suspect, with one report describing it as "a suspicious visit of a group of Israeli soldiers, which sets a dangerous precedent."
In 2000, the Temple Mount was closed to Jews after riots broke out in the compound. Three years later the area was opened again to Jews, but with restrictions, including a prohibition against soldiers in uniform entering the area. In recent months, Temple Mount activists and members of Knesset have levied intense pressure against the ruling, prompting Jerusalem District Police to change the regulations and allow soldiers in uniform to enter the compound.
MKs Zeev Elkin (Likud), Tzipi Hotovely (Likud), Danny Danon (Likud) and Aryeh Eldad (National Union) joined the campaign, raising the issue in the Knesset Internal Affairs and Environment Committee.
After the soldiers' hour-long visit on the Mount – during which they surveyed the area around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, and were given a guided tour by Ami Meitav, head of the Lander Institute's School of Tourism – the soldiers left the area via the Mughrabi Gate.
Yehuda Glick, director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, said on Wednesday, "We should be grateful that we are getting results from our work. We are seeing more and more Jews entering the Temple Mount area with the understanding that it – and not the Western Wall – is a holy Jewish site.
Together with the recent developments of women and ultra-Orthodox Jews entering the compound, we have arrived at the point that even soldiers in uniform can visit the place, despite determined opposition from police in the past. We should now be focused on making a visit to the Temple Mount a requirement for every solider, so that they can learn its history."
Source: Israel Hayom
