Arrest of the “Temple Mount undercovers”: Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court Judge Adi Bar-Tal recently (Thursday) released the Temple Mount activists who were arrested following an article broadcast on News 13.
Following a hearing on extending the detention of two activists returning to the mountain, Israel Elitzur and Rafael Morris, who were arrested last night, the activists were released on restrictive conditions: the two were removed from the Temple Mount and the Old City of Jerusalem for 30 days. Self-commitment and guarantee in the amount of NIS 10,000. Zatz in addition to a self-deposit in the amount of NIS 2,000.
The hearing began 3 hours late, with the two activists constantly handcuffed in court.
Police have asked the court to extend their detention by five days. With the judge’s decision, the police requested a stay of execution. The judge granted this request.
The article documented two Temple Mount activists participating in an undercover course, where they learned how to dress up as Muslims and enter to pray on the Temple Mount through the gates intended for Muslims only. The detainees were interrogated at the Jerusalem Medical Center on suspicion of entering a place of worship without permission with the intention of harming a person’s feelings or degrading his religion. This is an offense punishable by 3 years in prison.
During the hearing, Advocate Rom asked the police representative whether there is a legal ban on Jews entering the Temple Mount from gates from which Muslims ascend? In response, Adv. Rom asked the police representative to refer him to the revolving decision, since there is no such decision: “There is no decision or law prohibiting the entry of Jews on the Temple Mount. If there was one, it would be against the Basic Laws,” Adv. Rom noted.
Judge Bar-Tal said she did not make the decision to release the detainees without hesitation. “The Temple Mount is a sacred place for several religions… There is a fear of the whole area flaring up. However, one document does not indicate that the suspects went up to the Temple Mount disguised as Arabs. There may have been an intention to do so. I did not find evidence of actual execution.”
As stated, the judge approved the police request to delay the execution of the decision.