Rabbi removed from Temple Mount for challenging Muslim heckler

Witnesses say professor from Ofra who ascends the Temple Mount monthly, was approached by a Muslim man associated with Marabtat, which encourages Arab convergence to disrupt Jewish visitors.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Palestinians in front of the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinians in front of the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A rabbi, who has been a longtime Temple Mount rights activist and visitor, was removed by police from the holy site Thursday morning for responding “Hashem, He is God,” when a Muslim worshiper shouted “Allahu akbar” at him during his visit.
According to multiple witnesses, Prof. Yoel Elitzur, from Ofra in the West Bank, who ascends the Temple Mount monthly, was approached by a group of Muslim women associated with Marabtat, which encourages daily Arab convergence there to disrupt Jewish visitors.
After the man shouted the antagonistic expression, meaning “Allah is the greatest,” and Elitzur responded in kind, witnesses said he was initially detained by police and subsequently placed under arrest for disturbing the public order.
However, Police spokesman Ch.-Insp. Micky Rosenfeld said that while Elitzur was removed from the site, he was not arrested.
The incident drew swift condemnation from Temple Mount activist Yehudah Glick, who survived an assassination attempt because of his outspoken activism.
Marabtat operatives are compensated by the organization to ostensibly heckle and intimidate Jewish visitors by loitering in public areas and shouting pro-Muslim sentiments.