40 Muslim Females Barred from Temple Mount

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli authorities barred 40 female activists from entering the Temple Mount for between 10 days and two months.

The government posted the names of the 40 women, members of the Islamic Movement's Murabitat, the Palestinian Authority's official Ma'an news agency reports. Israeli officials say the women have been instigating "trouble and damage" at the contested site.

According to the report, Jerusalem Police commander Avi Biton said restricting the activists is meant "to prevent any tensions in the area, as they violate order and present a threat to visitors."

During times of increased tension, Israel restricts male Muslim worshippers under the age of 50, but restrictions on women were few and far between.

But under the auspices of the Islamic Movement, the women have heckled and hassled non-Muslim visitors to the Temple Mount. 

Another quiet change to ease tensions is restricting entrance of Muslim students from Islamic religious schools to the Hatta Gate for males and the Chain Gate for females. A teacher must accompany all student groups, regardless of gender.