More than 1,100 Jews visited Jerusalem’s Temple Mount to pray on the first day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot, NGO Beyadenu said. The group also reported that police removed five visitors after they recited the Four Species blessing and the Kaddish prayer.
Beyadenu said visitor groups were limited to 90–100 people. Under the longstanding status quo, Jews and Christians may visit the Temple Mount but are generally prohibited from praying there, while Muslims are permitted to worship.
Jerusalem District and Border Police were preparing for thousands expected at the Temple Mount, Western Wall and Old City during the rest of Sukkot, including for Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremonies scheduled for Monday and Thursday. In mid-August, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told the Post Jewish men were permitted to bring prayer books onto the Mount. Journalist Arnon Segal said there was still no blanket permit and called it an initial experiment; police said their operations followed political directives, site rules and operational assessments.
