Four years after Hamas threats nearly forced the cancellation of Jerusalem Liberation Day celebrations, more than 2,000 Jews marked the occasion by ascending the Temple Mount, many waving Israeli flags and praying openly.
According to HaKol HaYehudi, 2,139 Jews visited the Temple Mount in honor of Jerusalem Liberation Day. The Temple Mount Authority reported that this figure represents a nearly 50% increase from last year.
Among those who ascended were prominent rabbis, yeshiva deans, government ministers, and MKs. Participants prayed, sang, recited the Hallel, and bowed in worship. Several individuals wore tefillin and prayer shawls, while dozens held aloft Israeli flags.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands took part in the traditional flag dance procession through the unified Jerusalem’s streets.
In a notable moment captured on video, MK Zvi Sukkot was seen waving an Israeli flag in front of the Golden Dome…
מבזק חדשות,
ח״כ צבי סוכות עלה היום להר הבית,
השתחווה והניף בגאווה את דגל ישראל.
מול כל הרוח הנושבת נגד — הוא הכריז בקול ברור:
“הר הבית בידינו.”
לא סיסמה. לא הצהרה חלולה.
אמירה אמיצה — של ריבון בארצו. pic.twitter.com/CxzXITKgjq— אבי מלכי (@Avi_Malki) May 26, 2025
…and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir received a priestly blessing on the Mount.
מצמרר!
מעמד מרגש של ברכת כהנים בהר הבית, יחד עם השר לביטחון לאומי איתמר בן גביר pic.twitter.com/rxASOEck5A
— אלחנן שקולניק (@Elchanan_sk) May 26, 2025
Ben Gvir, Minister of the Negev and the Galilee Yitzhak Vaserlauf, and MK Yitzhak Kreuzer ascended the Temple Mount alongside Rabbi Yehuda Kreuzer Shlita, the Rabbi of Mitzpe Jericho.
Minister Ben Gvir said, “There are truly many Jews flooding the Temple Mount—it’s a joy to behold. Today, God willing, we can pray and bow on the Temple Mount, and we thank God for this opportunity. We are here praying for the safety of the hostages, that they all return home safely, and for victory in the war.
I also pray for the success of the new head of the Shin Bet—that he will relentlessly pursue our enemies and strike them down, as he has throughout his career. May he be professional and discerning, embracing those who love us and crushing those who seek to harm us. Good luck, Zini.”
MK Zvi Sukkot wrote, “The Temple Mount is in our hands. Fifty-eight years after the paratroopers hoisted the Israeli flag here, I was privileged to raise the flag again on this holy day—the day of Jerusalem’s liberation. On this sacred mountain, I prayed for complete victory in the war, for the safety of our soldiers, and the swift return of the kidnapped to their homes.”
Hillel Kauders, son of Raphael Kauders Hy’d, who was killed last Jerusalem Day on the Lebanese border, ascended the Mount today and recited Kaddish in his father’s memory.
MK Amit Halevi led the Hallel blessing on the Mount, which fellow ascenders joined in singing together.
ח”כ עמית הלוי מברך על ההלל בהר הבית. ????ארנון סגל, מדריך בידינו. pic.twitter.com/HbaH5ceofq
— חזקי ברוך (@HezkeiB) May 26, 2025
However, it wasn’t all pure love and joy. Left-wing activists attempted to disrupt the celebrations and provoke disturbances aimed at preventing the Jewish presence on the Temple Mount. Additionally, many of the ascenders reported harassment by police, including being forced to ascend in small groups—a procedure that caused significant delays in entering the sacred site.
