Would-be worshiper sinks teeth into officer after skipping check-point

The young man, wearing tefillin, sought to commemorate the destruction of the Second Temple by ascending to the holy site, but neglected to remove the religious garb at a security checkpoint.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: JULY 26, 2015 11:18
An Orthodox Jewish worshipper prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City (photo credit: REUTERS)
An Orthodox Jewish worshipper prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
(photo credit: REUTERS)
In a strange incident, a young man attempting to gain access to the Temple Mount on Sunday entered into a scuffle with police during which one officer was bit.
The young man, wearing tefillin, sought to commemorate the destruction of the Second Temple by ascending to the holy site, above the Western Wall, which now houses both the Aksa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, but  apparently neglected to remove the religious garb when passing through the checkpoint and was called back by police.
After ignoring the authorities, the young man continued moving towards the Temple Mount and when approached by the officers began to physically resist them, sinking his teeth into one of the officers in the process.
Officers arrested the assailant and took him to be investigated. 
Earlier on Sunday, Palestinian rioters hurled stones, petrol bombs and fireworks at Border Police and regular police after information was obtained indicating that a riot had been planned.
Clashes grip Temple Mount as rioters hurl petrol bombs, stones and fireworks at police
Rioters gathered in the Aksa mosque and forced the one of building's doors open with metal bars, furniture and ropes. They then began to pelt the security forces with the projectiles from inside the holy place.
Officers were finally able to remove the obstacles from the doors from inside the mosque, closing the entrance from which the objects were being thrown and ending the incident.
Shortly after the clashes ended, the Temple Mount was reopened for public visitations.