Jews Pray on Temple Mount Ahead of Shabbat, Sue for Weekend Access

Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount held an early Kabbalat Shabbat service on Thursday, as the site is closed to Jews on Saturdays. The group's prayer service occurred on the same day a petition was filed with the High Court of Justice demanding a policy change to allow Jewish access to the Temple Mount on Shabbat.

The petition, submitted by Asaf Yehezkel Fried on behalf of himself and the Public Committee for Opening the Temple Mount on Shabbat, along with Yosef Meir Rabin, represented by attorney Baruch Ben Yosef, names Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Jerusalem District Police Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled as respondents.

The petitioners are asking the High Court to compel the respondents to justify the blanket refusal to open the Temple Mount on Saturdays. They argue this policy is unreasonable and discriminatory, particularly as Saturdays are when many Jews are free from work and studies. In addition to the general demand for weekend access, they seek an urgent interim order for the High Holidays, requiring the state to prepare for Jewish and non-Muslim visitor access on Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret.

The petitioners assert that after the Six-Day War, Jewish and non-Muslim visitors could enter the Temple Mount six days a week, excluding Friday. They claim that after the site was closed during the Second Intifada and reopened in 2003, weekend access was not reinstated, thus disrupting the previous status quo. The petition also points to Jewish holidays falling on weekdays as evidence of the unreasonableness of Saturday closures. Furthermore, they cite a Knesset Interior Committee subcommittee report that allegedly recommended reopening the Temple Mount on Saturdays as it was until 2000.

The petition details recent attempts to address the issue with political and police officials. According to the filing, one petitioner was directed from Ben-Gvir's office to the Prime Minister, while the Jerusalem District Commander rejected a request for Saturday opening, stating that visits are permitted Sunday through Thursday. MK Simcha Rothman, Chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, is also mentioned as supporting the demand to open the Temple Mount on High Holiday Saturdays, having reportedly asked the Prime Minister and Ben-Gvir to allow opening on Rosh Hashanah and even permit the blowing of the shofar during morning prayers.

Given the proximity of the High Holidays, the petitioners are requesting an expedited hearing for their interim order request, prior to a full ruling on the main petition. They seek an order mandating preparations for Jewish and non-Muslim entry to the Temple Mount on the upcoming holiday Saturdays.