Jewish prayer books reportedly allowed onto Temple Mount for first time

Jewish visitors were allowed to use prayer books atop the Temple Mount this morning, marking the latest crack in a status quo arrangement banning Jews from worshiping at the sensitive compound.

Arnon Segel, a right-wing journalist and activist seeking to expand Jewish religious freedom at the site, posts a picture of men praying on the Temple Mount while reading from siddurim, books of Jewish liturgy. Towels can be seen on the ground in front of the men, indicating the inclusion of prostration in ritual worship on the esplanade, which was the home of the two ancient Jewish Temples.

“Still no explicit permit but a first try to make sure the Middle East doesn’t lose its mind over this,” Segel posts, calling the event “historic.”

According to Haaretz, citing Segal and an unnamed activist, police allowed the visitors to ascend the site with the prayer books.

הבוקר בהר הבית: יהודים מתפללים עם סידורים. עדיין לא היתר גורף אבל ניסוי ראשוני במטרה לוודא שהמזרח התיכון לא יוצא מדעתו בגלל זה. היסטוריה pic.twitter.com/MduyD0YKmm

— ארנון סגל (@arnonsegal1) August 16, 2026

Once completely proscribed due to Muslim sensitivities about the compound’s status, Jewish prayer has been increasingly allowed by police, including public displays. Until now, however, worshipers were limited in their ability to bring in liturgical items beyond single sheets of paper, which were first allowed in January, according to Haaretz.

Police say in a statement carried by the outlet that the compound is managed “in accordance with the instructions of the political leadership, standard practices at the site and based on an operational assessment.”