Israel: Minister insists on Temple Mount ‘status quo’ amid reports of Jewish prayer

Israel’s Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev insisted that the status quo at the Temple Mount “was in place and will remain in place” on Sunday. 

Bar-Lev's statement follows months of media reports showing Jewish worshippers openly praying at the site while police turned a blind eye, The Times of Israel (ToI) reported.

“The police have worked to protect the status quo — save for exceptional circumstances — which they have quickly identified and acted against,” Bar-Lev said.

The Temple Mount, known to Muslims for its Al-Aqsa Mosque, is the holiest site for Jews and site of the third holiest shrine in Islam. 

Since Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 war, a fragile arrangement has prevailed at the Temple Mount: only Muslims are permitted to worship on the sacred hill, while Jews pray at the Western Wall, esteemed as a remnant of the Second Temple. 

It is one of the most emotionally contested places in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ToI suggested.

Recent clashes there were a catalyst to the start of the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in May.

Earlier in October, a lower court decided to lift a ban on Jews praying on the Temple Mount, Haaretz reported.

However, this was overturned by the Jerusalem District Court, with the public security minister warning that violence could rekindle from unilateral steps taken at the sensitive religious site. 

According to ToI, officials in the Shin Bet agency - Israel’s internal security service - expressed concern that a group of Jews would try to hold an open prayer service at the Temple Mount, sparking further violence.