(August 27, 2024 / JNS) The Israeli government will finance Jewish educational tours on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount for the first time, “to strengthen and stabilize the Old City,” Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported on Monday night.

A total of 2 million shekels ($543,338) will be allocated for the program from the budget of the office of Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyah of the Otzma Yehudit Party.

The Prime Minister's office clarified that “there is no change in the status quo on the Temple Mount.”