Stage set for showdown at Temple Mount

A Jewish group plans to bring thousands of Israeli Jews to Jerusalem's Temple Mount Sunday for a mass prayer rally, despite a police ban on non-Muslims entering the compound on that day.

Israel's government and security forces have consistently caved to threats of Muslim violence in response to Jewish visits to and prayers at Judaism's holiest site.

Former Jerusalem Police Chief Aryeh Amit told Army Radio Thursday morning that Muslims view Jewish and Christian prayers at the Temple Mount as a provocation, and as such they must be prevented.

Yisrael Cohen, director of the Revava organization, also spoke to Army Radio, insisting it is unacceptable that Jews continue to suffer discrimination at the site of Israel's ancient and future temples.

Despite the increased police presence and ban on ascending the Mount Sunday, Revava urged Israeli Jews to join the prayer rally en masse to plead with the Almighty to prevent Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to surrender Gaza and northern Samaria.

The gathered Jewish worshippers will be met by a presumably hostile mob of Arab Muslims being assembled by the radical Islamic Movement.

Full Article