A Jewish man was arrested yesterday on Monday afternoon on the Temple Mount after Israeli security overheard the individual reciting a prayer for the sick. The arrest came shortly after a rabbi from Beit Shemesh was arrested earlier in the day on similar grounds. While the latter was released shortly thereafter, the arrests demonstrate the extent to which the Israeli government seems determined to uphold the status quo of the Temple Mount.

Under the current agreement with Jordan and the Waqf, the organization charged with managing religious affairs on the Mount, Jews are only permitted to visit during specific hours and all forms of praying at any time are strictly prohibited.