Jews have long complained about the activities by Muslims on the Mount deemed inappropriate to a holy place, such as barbecues, picnics, and political demonstrations. One of the worst desecrations, say many Jews involved in the issue, are the soccer games that take place in the open areas of the mount, with the attendant cursing, fighting, and other unholy behavior. The High Court several years ago banned the practice, in response to several petitions – but police have never enforced the law.Mrs. Elder took video of one of the games last February:
That will now change, said Ahronovich.
Responding to a Knesset query filed last June by Feiglin, in the wake of an incident in which Jews grabbed a soccer ball being used for an illegal game, and gave it to police – who promptly returned it to the players – Ahronovich said that the police are obligated to uphold the law, and they will.
“The officers acted in contradiction to the law and their obligations,” Ahronovich said. “The query by MK Feiglin is definitely appropriate. Police will from now on conscientiously enforce the law, and I have ordered police commanders to do so. Police are already working through several channels that the sanctity of the site is preserved,” he added.
It will be most interesting to hear the outrage from Muslims at not being allowed to treat their "third holiest site" as a playground.
But AP has already given them one excuse, saying that since there are no open spaces in the Old City, Muslim kids have no choice but to use it for soccer and volleyball and snowball fights.
But Jews walking and trying to pray there? That, you see, is "desecration."
(h/t OBoZ)
