Cops collar goat smugglers trying to ram sacrifice onto Temple Mount

Police say they arrested nine Jewish men who tried to smuggle a sacrificial goat onto the Temple Mount in Jerusalem earlier today.

The group of young men are filmed heading to one of the entrances to the Temple Mount compound with a baby goat concealed in a Rami Levy shopping bag. Scuffles with police guarding the entrance break out as the group tries to force its way into the compound.

One of the young men chants the Shema prayer as police scramble to block their entry. They are also seen brawling with a religious Muslim man at the gate.

The caper coincides with the Jewish holiday of Pesach Sheni, or Second Passover, which falls a month after Passover. In ancient times, the holiday provided another chance for those who had not been able to bring the Passover sacrifice to the Jerusalem Temple to fulfill the commandment.

דרמה בהר הבית: 9 תושבי אזור ירושלים נעצרו בחשד לתקיפת שוטרים – אחד מהם ניסה להבריח גדי למתחם בתוך שקית@VeredPelman
צילום: אברהם שאול פואה pic.twitter.com/ZAe9i0ThrP

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 12, 2025

Past years have seen similar attempts to smuggle in goats for sacrifice on the Temple Mount during the religious festival.

Police say the nine suspects, residents of Jerusalem and the West Bank, were detained for questioning, while the goat was transferred for veterinary treatment.