Jerusalem police on Tuesday arrested three nationalistic Jewish men in their 20s who attempted to smuggle Israeli flags to the Temple Mount. According to a police spokesperson, the men attempted to conceal the flags in their backpacks and planned to wave them upon ascending to the top of the holy site. Deeming the attempt a “clear provocation,” the official said the men were arrested to avert violence. Although the Supreme Court has upheld Jewish prayer rights at the site – which is overseen by the Wakf Muslim religious trust – the court allows police to prevent any form of worship there if they believe such activities will incite a “disturbance to the public order.”
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)