This article is from: srnnews.com
Jewish Men Allowed To Carry Full Prayer Books on Temple Mount for First Time
By The Media Line Staff
Israeli police allowed Jewish men to carry full prayer books and pray openly on the Temple Mount on Sunday in a limited trial, further easing longstanding restrictions on Jewish worship at the Jerusalem holy site.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that Jewish worshippers had been permitted to bring prayer books onto the compound after journalist Arnon Segal published a photograph showing men praying and reading from the books.
“Still no blanket permit, but an initial experiment aimed at ensuring the Middle East doesn’t lose its mind over this,” Segal wrote. “History.”
Earlier this year, authorities began allowing Jewish visitors to carry a single pre-printed prayer page distributed at the entrance, while full traditional prayer books, known as siddurim, and ritual items remained prohibited.
Enforcement has gradually become more permissive in practice, with police increasingly allowing Jewish groups to pray quietly, prostrate themselves, and sing at the site.
The changes represent a departure from longstanding enforcement of the status quo governing the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif. Following the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel left day-to-day administration of the compound to the Jordanian-led Islamic Waqf and restricted open worship by non-Muslims.
Successive Israeli governments have maintained restrictions intended to prevent religious friction, riots, and broader regional escalation. Ben-Gvir and supportive police leadership have pushed for expanded Jewish prayer rights at the compound.
Neighboring countries and Muslim authorities have opposed recent changes, with officials meeting in Amman through the Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemning them as violations of the traditional status quo and an escalation.
Israel Police did not announce a general change in policy following Sunday’s development.
“The Israel Police operates on the Temple Mount in accordance with the directives of the political echelon, the established rules governing the site, and operational assessments, with the aim of safeguarding public safety, security, and public order,” police said in response to The Jerusalem Post.
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