Israelis who recited Shema on Temple Mount charged

V THREE ISRAELI men who called out “Shema Yisrael” during a visit to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem last year have been charged with disrupting public order.

The men bowed down in front of the Dome of the Rock and called out the Jewish prayer during the visit on September 17, 2018, two days before Yom Kippur, according to an indictment filed at Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court this week.

Israel retains security control of the compound, which is known to Muslims as the Haram esh-Sharif, but enforces a ban on Jewish prayer there.

Jews are permitted to visit but under heavy supervision by Israeli police and the Islamic Waqf foundation that manages the site.

The Times of Israel reported the men were detained by Israeli police on the site and escorted out of the compound.

They continued to shout “Shema Yisrael” as they were taken away, after which Muslims gathered around and called back at them.

The men were also charged with disturbing police officers in the fulfilment of their duties.

No Muslims were arrested during the September 17, 2018 incident, but five were arrested the following day after trying to obstruct another group of Jewish visitors ahead of Yom Kippur.

Violence also broke out on the Temple Mount this year, when the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha coincided with the Jewish fast of Tisha B’Av in August.

Several people were injured in the scuffles between Palestinians and Israeli police officers.

It later emerged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had wavered over granting permission to the farright Temple Mount Faithful group from entering the compound on that day.