East Jerusalem man indicted for violence against Temple Mount visitors

Details about some of the suspects arrested last month are still under gag order.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
The Dome of the Rock is seen during sunset on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City (photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)
The Dome of the Rock is seen during sunset on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City
(photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)
An east Jerusalem man was indicted in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court and others were recently arrested all for violence against Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount and Israeli security personnel.
 
The prosecution and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced the developments on Sunday.
 
Mahmoud Abd al-Latif, 25, from the old City, was charged by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office with participation in a terror organization as well as recruiting activists to the organization.
According to the indictment, Latif is an operative in Shabab al-Aksa, a religious group that serves as Hamas’ long-arm on the Temple Mount to perpetrate violence and foment rioting and disorder.
Details about some of the suspects arrested last month are still under gag order.
In October 2016, one of the group’s heads, Matzbach Abutzbiach even murdered policeman Yossi Karima and civilian Livneh Malichi in an attack near Ammunition Hill.
The indictment and the arrests are also part of a broader effort to reduce tension and maintain order on the Temple Mount.
The prosecution requested keeping Latif in detention until the end of his trial.