Israeli Police Revoke Ban on Wearing Large Prayer Shawls at Temple Mount

Following reports by the Israeli news site Srugim, the Israeli police reversed a recently enforced ban on Jewish men wearing large prayer shawls (pashminas) at the Temple Mount. The police had instructed security personnel at the site to prevent entry to Jews wearing these wide scarves, which require tzitzit (ritual fringes) due to their size, despite their differing appearance from traditional tallitot. This restriction was not previously enforced, and two Jewish men were removed from the site for wearing such garments with permission. The police clarified after inquiries that no official regulation banning pashminas existed, and the ban was lifted, allowing entry with these prayer shawls once again.

However, separate access restrictions remain in place at the Temple Mount. Last week, reports indicated that police prohibited approaching the upper plaza and restricted access to the northern path on most ascents, citing insufficient manpower to secure both the northern route and the adjacent path simultaneously. The Temple Mount remains a sensitive religious and security site in Jerusalem, with ongoing tensions over access and worship rights.