Jerusalem Police Cancel Ban on Rabbi Waldman from Temple Mount After Public Outcry

Following a report by Srugim, the administrative ban preventing Rabbi Noam Waldman, head of the Nir Yeshiva, from ascending the Temple Mount was immediately revoked on Sunday. The decision to cancel the ban was made by Jerusalem District Police Commander Asaf Feld after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident. Initially, Rabbi Waldman was banned for a month due to allegedly violating the rules governing conduct on the Temple Mount. However, the police stated that the ban was lifted partly because it was his first offense and he was unaware of the specific regulations.

The ban had been issued after students from the Nir Yeshiva continued their prayers on Tisha B'Av in the eastern area of the Temple Mount, a zone where they were permitted to pray, following police refusal to allow them to complete their prayers in that area. The initial ban sparked criticism amid recent policy changes under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the increasing number of Jewish visitors to the site. With the cancellation of the ban, Rabbi Waldman is now allowed to return to the Temple Mount.

This development highlights ongoing tensions and evolving policies regarding Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount, a sensitive religious and political site in Jerusalem.