Sharp rise in Jewish visits to Temple Mount

Nearly 11,000 Israeli Jews arrived at holy site over 2014, up 28 percent over 2013

By JTA 27 January 2015, 11:05 pm 1

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An Orthodox Jew stands facing the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem on July 24, 2013. (Lucie March/Flash90)

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem saw nearly 11,000 Israeli Jewish visitors last year, an increase of 28 percent over 2013.

The figures were released by Israel Police through a freedom of information request by the Temple Institute, an organization that encourages Jewish visits to the site and aspires to rebuild the Jewish Temple there.

According to the figures, 10,906 Israeli Jews visited the site in 2014, up from 8,528 in 2013 and an increase of 92 percent over 2009, when 5,658 Jewish visitors arrived.

The Temple Mount, which Muslims revere as the Noble Sanctuary, was the site of repeated clashes this year between Muslims and Jews. The site was closed repeatedly due to the unrest.

Under normal circumstances, Jewish visitors are allowed at the site only three days a week during limited hours and are prohibited from praying there.