Security forces in Yerushalayim disrupted an effort last Friday by a group attempting to carry out a Korban Pesach on Har Habayis, stopping suspects who allegedly tried to bring a young goat into the area.

According to authorities, Yerushalayim District police together with Border Police spotted several youths approaching one of the entrances. Members of the group were said to be holding a goat intended for the offering, along with a knife used for slaughter.

The group reportedly moved past a police checkpoint and reached a nearby area, where they attempted to push their way onto Har Habayis. Officers intervened before they could enter, blocked their advance, and detained or arrested 21 individuals for questioning.

Those taken into custody were later brought before the Magistrate’s Court, which ruled that they be released. The decision stood even after police filed an appeal with the District Court.

Police said they “will continue to act decisively to preserve public order, security, and the fabric of life in the Old City and especially at the holy sites, while firmly enforcing the law against any attempt to disrupt order.”

The “Lama Nigara” (“Why Should We Be Excluded”) movement, whose members took part in the incident, issued a statement saying: “This day symbolizes the call of our ancestors who were impure during the first Pesach and longed to offer the Second Korban Pesach. In these days, the call of ‘Why should we be excluded’ is renewed – we too want to offer the Passover sacrifice and sacrifices in general. We strengthen the detainees; the time has come to return to the Har Habayis in its entirety and rebuild the Bais Hamikdosh.”

The activists were represented by attorneys Nati Rom and Daniel Shimshilashvili of the Honenu legal aid group. Shimshilashvili said: “Absurdly, the investigative unit chose to request an extension of our clients’ detention by no fewer than five days, using arguments that, after the Simchas Torah massacre, have no place in our society. The court accepted our arguments, and the claim that the entire Middle East would burn because Jews seek to exercise freedom of worship in our country did not impress the court, which ordered our clients’ release and even unusually rejected the police request to delay implementation of the decision.”

Rom added: “Regarding Har Habayis activists, I find it puzzling that the police consistently come to court with exaggerated requests while knowing that the court will completely dismiss them.”

{Matzav.com}