Hundreds of Jews Gather for Prayer on Temple Mount During Yom Kippur

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir ascended the Temple Mount on the eve of Yom Kippur, participating in the Mincha afternoon prayer service alongside Rabbi Elisha Wolfson, head of the Temple Mount Yeshiva, married yeshiva students, and other worshipers. During the service, Ben Gvir and the attendees sang "Sha'arei Shamayim P'tach," which translates to "open the gates of Heaven." On Yom Kippur itself, the Temple Mount opened at 6:30 a.m., allowing hundreds of Jews to ascend the site. The Temple Mount Yeshiva prepared prayer books approved by police and distributed them to worshipers. Rabbi Eliyahu Weber, head of the Temple Mount Yeshiva, led the prayers, with reports indicating that over 200 individuals prayed together for approximately four hours. A total of 654 Jewish ascents to the Temple Mount were recorded throughout Yom Kippur. Temple Mount activist Arnon Segal commented on the prayers and the recent changes regarding the admission of prayer materials to the site. He noted that last year, 50 Jews faced detainment or barring for bringing in prayer sheets, whereas this year, police distributed prayer books printed by the Temple Mount Yeshiva. Segal expressed optimism about the progress made, stating, "Anyone who did not see hundreds of Jews prostrating themselves this morning on the Temple Mount while reciting the Temple service has not seen the redemption of Israel advancing by leaps and bounds." Rabbi Wolfson blessed Ben Gvir during the visit, acknowledging the historic changes taking place and expressing hope for future developments.