Published: June 27th, 2012
Latest update: June 28th, 2012
A criminal investigation has been launched against Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, founder of the Temple Institute.
Photo Credit: The Temple Institute
Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, the 78 year old founder of the Temple Institute
and a former Israeli paratrooper who took part in Israel's liberation
of Temple Mount in 1967, has been banned from entering the holiest
Jewish site by Israeli Police.
Ariel was informed of the ban last week after attempting to visit the
site. Although an official reason was not given at the time, the Rabbi
was told by police officers that he was banned indefinitely.
A spokesman for the Jerusalem Police told the Jewish Press that the
rabbi conducted himself in a manner which is not in compliance with the
law and a criminal investigation has been launched against him.
Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute,
wrote an email in response to a Jewish Press inquiry, saying: “The
Israel Police's recent shift of policy towards Jewish visitors to the
Temple Mount is a throwback to the dark ages of totalitarian rule. The
draconian, illegal suppression of Jewish presence, prayer and
identification is a stain on this great country's record of democracy.
While on the one hand, the State of Israel champions human rights and
pluralism, the treatment of Jews on the Temple Mount bespeaks utter
contempt, insensitivity to religious feelings, and a brutal quashing of
the most basic human rights."
Rabbi Chaim Richman added that "it is inconceivable that Jews are
treated as criminals for expressing a desire to pray at their holiest
site. It is equally unconscionable that Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, who served
with the paratroopers that liberated the Temple Mount in the 1967 Six
Day War, risking his life and burying his comrades for the sake of the
Jewish sovereignty of the Temple Mount, should be served with an order
distancing him from the Temple Mount indefinitely. His 'crime' was
giving thanks to God, in that very spot – for the return of the site to
the Jewish people.
Read More:
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/rabbi-yisrael-ariel-under-criminal-investigation-banned-indefinitely-from-temple-mount/2012/06/27/
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