Despite fears of widespread clashes in Jerusalem during Ramadan, the Israeli Police reported on Tuesday that most Palestinians arrested in the capital during the past month were charged with illegally staying in Israel or for chants inciting violence.
The Islamic month of Ramadan ended on Tuesday night.
According to the police, more than 1.5 million worshippers came to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the month.
A total of 172 Palestinians were arrested in the Jerusalem district for illegally staying in Israel, including 15 who were apprehended when they arrived at the Temple Mount.
During the month, more than 100 Palestinians were arrested for incitement, of whom 60 were charged with making inciting chants on the Temple Mount.
On Saturday, a stabbing attack was foiled at the Old City’s Damascus Gate. The suspect posted a suicide note saying he intended to stab an Israeli in the neck.
“The significant deployment, the orderly operational planning and our precise activity, succeeded in producing the required balances between the freedom of worship and the aspects of security and safety, neutralization of threats and determined handling of exceptions,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Doron Turgeman, who heads the force’s Jerusalem district.
“The prayers on the Temple Mount were held as usual with the participation of many worshippers. We did not allow Hamas and the other terrorist organizations to lead to an escalating event despite the attempts to do so. We must also continue the day after, with the conclusion of the investigation with all those suspects who were arrested until the end of the sentence accordingly,” Turgeman added.
Police also boosted their monitoring of Arab social media networks for incitement and fake news. In past years, terror attacks have surged during Ramadan. Hamas called for violence on the Temple Mount and spread rumors that Israel was placing restrictions on worshippers.
Online incitement targeting Palestinian teens has also been traced back to the Palestinian Authority and local Palestinian clergy.
In Judea and Samaria, security forces have carried out over 6,000 counterterror operations since October 7. Of the 3,700 wanted Palestinians arrested, 1,600 are Hamas operatives.
The police also banned Jews from visiting the Temple Mount during the final days of Ramadan.
The Temple Mount, where the First and Second Jewish Temples were built, is the overall holiest site in Judaism. The Western Wall is the only remnant of a retaining wall encircling the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great in the first century and is the holiest site where Jews can freely pray.
The delicate status quo governing the Temple Mount goes back to 1967, when Israel liberated the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordan during the Six-Day War. Fearing a religious war, then-defense minister Moshe Dayan agreed to let the Islamic Waqf, a Muslim trusteeship, continue managing the holy site’s day-to-day affairs, while Israel would maintain overall sovereignty and be responsible for security. The Waqf is overseen by Jordan.
According to the status quo, Jews and non-Muslims would be allowed to visit the Temple Mount, but not pray there.
Image - Jamal Awad/Flash90