His comments came after Benjamin Netanyahu’s government prohibited non-Muslims from visiting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem until after the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and terrorist attacks that saw the murder of innocent people marred the holiday.

“The seven days of Passover are over. The Jewish holiday of freedom is celebrated together,” he said. “As every year, Jerusalem was at the center of Passover celebrations. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visited the city and the Western Wall Plaza.”

“After difficult and bitter weeks during which we buried our dead who were murdered in brutal and terrible ways – no calls for revenge were heard at the Western Wall,” he added. “No violent marches emanated from the Western Wall. Not for one moment did it dawn on any of the pilgrims to turn the holy holiday into a day of bloodshed.”

Rabbi Rabinowitz went on to criticize Muslim worshippers who were arrested after they hoarded weapons on the Temple Mount to use against Jewish worshippers over the holiday.

“As long as the Muslim community at large does not condemn and banish the violent and extremist minority, with its leaders and preachers, out of their congregations, their violent behavior will continue to tarnish the entire Muslim religion,” he said.

“The world should realize – there has never been a time in Jerusalem’s history with such religious tolerance for all believers like this period of Israeli rule. There has been no other nation that respected the right of every believer to pray according to his faith like the Jewish people and has made it possible for members of all faiths to worship freely.”

Photo: Yonatan Sindel /Flash90