Four Jews detained at Temple Mount, accused of bowing in prayer

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Four Jewish Israelis were detained by police during a visit to the Temple Mount for praying at the site.

The four, identified as teenagers, were arrested Wednesday and taken for questioning. Police told the Times of Israel that the four prostrated themselves on the mount.

A rabbi also visiting the site told Israel National News that the four did not bow down while on the Temple Mount.

Jews generally are not permitted to pray or bring any ritual objects to the Temple Mount, which is considered Judaism’s holiest site, in order to avoid confrontation with Muslim worshipers at the Al-Aksa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. The site is overseen by the Muslim Wakf, the Muslim religious administration charged with managing the Temple Mount site.