Over 1,400 reported to visit Temple Mount

Two right-wing news outlets report that 1,440 Jews visited the Temple Mount on Sunday, Tisha B’av, when observant Jews mark the destruction of the two ancient Temples.

The number would be unprecedented, breaking a reported record of 1,300 visitors set a year earlier.

Police do not immediately respond to a request to confirm the numbers, reported by Israel’s Channel 20 and the Kipa national religious website.

Some 10 people were arrested while on or near the flashpoint holy site, though several of them have reportedly been released.

MK Yehudah Glick (Likud), who has pushed for more Jewish activity on the compound, says he hopes to see “thousands of Jews visiting the site.” He says several years ago, Jews were often barred from the site for fears of tensions with Muslim worshipers.

The shrine is administered by the Muslim Waqf and Jews are forbidden to pray there.

A video posted by the group Students for the Temple Mount shows large crowds on the esplanade and scuffles with police.