Following yesterday's publication that Jerusalem police have banned Jews from entering the Temple Mount for 16 days due to Ramadan celebrations, a young Jew was detained for protesting the expected closure.
The young man, Tal Yanon Derdik, arrived at the site, and shouted from the bottom of his heart: "The Mount should not be closed to Jews! Enemies, get out!"
Derdik followed this up by prostrating himself in accordance with Jewish tradition at the holy site. He did not violate public order, did not block a public road, and did not resort to violence, but despite this, he was still arrested by Temple Mount police and taken in for questioning.
Tom Nisani, head of the Beyadenu Jewish rights organization, commented on the unusual arrest: "For a year we have been hearing the State Comptroller, Attorney General, Supreme Court judges and many academics defending individuals' freedom of speech. It turns out that the only place where a Jew is not allowed to express his non-violent protest without harming anyone and without violating public order is the Temple Mount, the holiest place for Jews!"
"Once again it becomes clear that it is precisely the right wing government that treats Jews ascending to the Temple Mount like guests trying to break in. Shame on them!" he added.
