Police chief: MKs banned from Temple Mount

17 April 2016, 8:18 pm

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Israel Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich announces a new open-ended ban on Israeli lawmakers visiting the flashpoint Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

“In light of attempts by many extremist elements from both sides to create provocations… I surmise that at this time, ascent to the Temple Mount by Knesset members is likely to result in an exacerbation of tensions and escalation of incidents that would cause a real endangerment of the security of the state,” he writes in a letter to Netanyahu, Channel 2 reports.

The letter continues: “I have decided to continue the ban on members of Knesset going up to the Temple Mount until further notice. The issue will be considered anew once the [holiday season is] over.”