Police arrest eight for chants supporting Hamas on Temple Mount

Israel Police arrested four residents of east Jerusalem and four residents of northern Israel for chanting in support of Hamas and inciting violence on the Temple Mount during dawn prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday morning, the last Friday of Ramadan, according to a police statement.

Footage published by Palestinian media showed a group crowding in front of the Dome of the Rock after the dawn prayers, chanting slogans glorifying Hamas and calling, "In spirit and blood we will redeem you al-Aqsa."

تغطية صحفية: "هتافات المصلين في رحاب المسجد الأقصى قبيل إطلاق قوات الاحتلال قنابل الغاز المسيل للدموع تجاههم". pic.twitter.com/WcIls18SyJ

— القسطل الإخباري (@AlQastalps) April 5, 2024

"Those despicable instigators and supporters of terrorism are residents of the State of Israel who are taking advantage of a religious occasion and using a holy place of prayer for incitement and support for terrorism and terrorists," said Israel Police. "Those people place a very big stain on the Muslim residents of Israel, and we call on everyone who opposes terrorism and incitement to terrorism - to act to prevent similar incidents in a holy place."

About 3,600 police officers were deployed across Jerusalem on Friday in order to keep the peace and secure worshippers.

Police prepare for Laylat al-Qadr

Police are also preparing to secure prayers for Laylat al-Qadr, which is marked on the night between Friday and Saturday. Laylat al-Qadr is the night when the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad. It is seen as a night of repentance for sins and a night during which worship is more powerful. The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown, but it is marked on one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

Last weekend, police arrested 23 suspects who chanted incendiary slogans and expressed support for terrorism on the Temple Mount after prayers.

On Wednesday night, a suspect with a flag of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization was arrested in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Police announced on Thursday that they would prevent anyone who took part in the incitement last weekend from entering the Temple Mount this weekend.

As has been done throughout the past few years, the Temple Mount was closed to Jewish visitors for the last ten days of Ramadan. Jews are not allowed to enter the site on Friday or Saturday at any point during the year.