13 Jews and 5 Goats Arrested For Trying To Bring Korban Pesach

 

Thirteen Jews, activists of the "Returning to the Temple Mount" movement who tried to offer a Passover sacrifice in what they call the "Passover Sacrifice Operation", were arrested by the police in Jerusalem.

Five goats were seized by the police and confiscated, and two activists received an administrative removal order signed by Homefront Command Major Rafi Milo.

All the detainees were released under restrictive conditions. The district court canceled the restrictions imposed earlier this week on Raphael Morris, the chairman of the movement.

The movement offered this statement: "A big thank you to all the dedicated activists who came to Jerusalem today intending to offer the Passover sacrifice, especially to the Honenu organization and attorney Nati Rom for the legal assistance provided to all the detainees."

Yesterday, against the background of reports and intentions to offer a Passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount, Rabbi of the Western Wall Shmuel Rabinovitch prohibited the bringing of animals to the Mughrabi Gate. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation prevented the entry of animals into the area in accordance with regulations governing the holy places.

It was reported that "the Western Wall Heritage Foundation operates according to the instructions of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which for generations has opposed any act of this kind, and under the authority of the Western Wall Rabbi, has been preventing such actions for years, and will continue to do so this year as well."

On Monday, the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, sharply criticized those who went up to the Temple Mount and those who call to go up there. "According to the Halacha, there is a strict and absolute prohibition to go up to the Temple Mount. The dangerous calls to go up to the Temple Mount on the eve of Passover, in particular, and in general, are irresponsible and contrary to Halacha. No man or woman should trample the Halacha by going up to the Mount," said Rabbi Yosef.

The rabbi also said: "The seal with a prayer for a complete redemption and hope that our prayer will be accepted and we will be healed and we will be able to eat there from the sacrifices and from the Passovers, happy in the building of your city and happy in your work.