Israeli rabbis oppose government’s plan to fund raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque
Dozens of fanatic Jews, accompanied by Israeli police, raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied, East Jerusalem, June 11, 2023 (AA Photo)
Thirty rabbis in Israel have rejected the government’s decision to fund raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
According to Israeli Channel 14, the rabbis, affiliated with the Religious Zionism Movement, sent a letter to Israel’s far-right Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu opposing the plan.
The letter highlighted that chief rabbis have historically prohibited entry to the Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa Mosque), even for worship, because of its sacred status.
It reminded Minister Eliyahu that his grandfather, former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, had issued a religious ruling banning entry to Al-Aqsa.
“Entering the Temple Mount raises concerns about disrespecting its sanctity, considered one of the gravest violations in the Torah,” the rabbis wrote, emphasizing that the raids do not change Al-Aqsa’s status as a non-touristic holy site.
The rabbis expressed hope that Minister Eliyahu would follow his grandfather’s path and cancel the ministry’s plan to sponsor guided tours of the site.
On Aug. 26, Israeli State TV KAN reported that, for the first time, Israel’s Heritage Ministry plans to fund guided tours of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The ministry is reportedly seeking police approval in coordination with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s office.
