Yesterday I reported - probably exclusively - that the Waqf was setting up a summer camp on the holy ground of the Temple Mount, as they have for several years, where Muslim kids would learn arts and crafts and play sports.Today, Palestine Today writes that Israeli police barred campers and counselors as well as others from entering the compound, setting up barricades at the entrances.
I don't know if this will become a new policy. The reports before the holiday of Shavuot where it looked like the police would allow Jews exclusive access for parts of the holiday apparently never happened. And without a consistent policy these moves are almost worthless, as they appear arbitrary rather than principled. Without consistency the Muslim leaders just conclude that they need to make more noise and threats and riots in order to sway Israeli authorities to bend to their will.
In what is almost certainly an example of projection, the report claimed that the police hurled "insults and abuse and threats of beatings and detention."
Orryia Kohen noted in the comments:
I work at the Western Wall, and just recently learned that people aren't allowed to bring into the area guitars (or any other musical instruments). People coming to attend a military swearing-in ceremony weren't even allowed to bring helium balloons, because it is deemed disrespectful. I think a summer camp would be kicked out of the area in five minutes.