MK Moshe Feiglin came to the Temple Mount on Monday morning and asked to enter the Dome of the Rock. According to Feiglin, police prevented him from entering, claiming that the place is under the sovereignty of the Waqf Arab charities in Amman, Jordan, Reshet Bet radio reported.
Jerusalem police sources said that MK Feiglin asked to enter one of the mosques that are closed to Jewish visitors.
But as of 2006, the entire Temple Mount has been reopened to non-Muslim visitors between the hours of 7:30–11:30 AM and 1:30–2:30 PM during summer and 7:30–10:30 AM and 1:30–2:30 PM during winter. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering after 2:30 PM and may not enter on Fridays, Saturdays, or Muslim holidays.
Those police sources also said that it was made clear that Feiglin could not enter, but he insisted, saying he is entitled to enter in his role as member of the Knesset.
Knesset members are granted extensive legal immunity and privileges. Their special legal status, which many observers regard as excessive, ranges from parliamentary immunity to protection from criminal proceedings for the entire period of Knesset membership. Immunity extends to acts committed before becoming a Knesset member, although such immunity can be removed by the Knesset upon the recommendation of the House Committee.
While the MK was debating with police, a crowd of Muslim worshipers gathered in the place. A police force that was dispatched to the scene dispersed the crowd and took MK Feiglin out, declaring the site closed to the public.
Hamas TV claimed that Muslim worshipers threw shoes at Feiglin and chased him away. This does not appear to be a truthful report.