Jerusalem

17th of Tammuz: Record Number of Jews Ascend to the Temple Mount to Commemorate Jerusalem’s Destruction

On Sunday, Jews ascended to the Temple Mount, fasting to commemorate the breach of the walls of Jerusalem that led to the destruction of the Second Temple.

Saturday was the Seventeenth of Tammuz, but if it falls on Saturday (as it did this year), the fast is postponed until the following day.

Ascending to Judaism’s holiest site is a powerful rite for Jews, requiring immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath), and wearing leather shoes is forbidden. Despite Israeli law mandating religious equality at the site, The Israeli police routinely prohibit Jews (and Christians) from praying. Jews may only enter from one gate during limited hours and only after a rigorous background and security check. Source: Israel 365

Biden Removes Israeli Flag for E. Jerusalem Meeting with Palestinians

Along with many other snubs disrespecting his Israeli hosts, President Biden removed the Israeli flag from his limousine before travelling to his meeting with Palestinian representatives in the eastern section of Jerusalem.

On Friday, Biden visited Augusta Victoria hospital in the eastern section of Jerusalem. The hospital is run by the Palestinian Authority, and the visit is seen as tacit support of a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem. This will mark the first time a sitting US president has visited a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem. While the State Department assured the Israeli government that the visit was not intended as a snub or to indicate Palestinian sovereignty in the Israeli capital, one glaring detail betrayed the truth. “The Beast”, the presidential limousine, displayed the US and Israeli flags when visiting Israeli officials but the trip to the eastern section of Israel capital was carrried out without an Israeli flag. Source: Israel365