Jews Blow Shofars at Jerusalem Holy Site During Rosh Hashanah Amid Police Presence

Approximately 600 Jews ascended the Temple Mount on Sunday, Rosh Hashanah, setting a record for the number of Jewish visitors to the site on a single day during the holiday. The worshippers, using prayer booklets, sounded the shofar and silver trumpets. Unlike previous instances where police interrupted the ritual, officers allowed the shofar blowers to complete their prayers this time. However, after each prayer session, police approached the individuals, confiscated the instruments, and removed them from the Temple Mount. Furthermore, the shofar blowers were summoned for hearings to consider potential restrictions and exclusion orders for varying periods.

According to reports from those who ascended, the visits and prayers proceeded calmly, with the Temple Mount being largely empty of Muslims. Conversely, Muslims reported that police prevented them from photographing the Jewish visitors. The Temple Mount was closed to Jewish entry on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, which fell on a Saturday, adhering to police policy against Jewish visits on Shabbat. However, on Sunday, police permitted entry but limited groups to 30 people, causing delays and long waits. In some cases, visitors were directed to only have a brief visit due to the police stating the allocated time for Jewish entry had concluded.

A High Court of Justice hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss a petition concerning the closure of the Temple Mount to Jews on Saturdays.