Police on erev Pesach arrested a number of people involved in an effort to shecht a korban Pesach as is done annually in the Old City of Yerushalayim. Police explain the men were taken into custody because their actions were provocative and likely to spark a violent Arab response. The activists involved appear to be members of the Right to Return to Har Habayis organization.

The police statement to the media reads “The Jerusalem police works to provide balance, in order to enable all three faiths to exercise their freedom of religion with the guarantee of personal safety and security and also expects that public to act with tolerance and mutual respect during this time period”.

Officials from the Return to the Temple Mount organization expressed outrage and are calling on Am Yisrael to visit Har Habayis in large numbers during Pesach. The organization’s leader, Refael Morris, was indicted on Sunday.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)