A large Hamas banner featuring a greeting for Eid al-Fitr and a photo of a Hamas terrorist was raised on the Temple Mount on Monday morning, as over 200,000 Arabs visited the site to celebrate the holiday marking the end of the Ramadan month of fasting.
Cheering could be heard as the banner was hung near the Dome of the Rock. Israel Police stated that it was removed shortly after it was raised and that the police were working to identify those involved in raising it. A livestream from the Temple Mount showed the banner up for at least 20 minutes. Israel Police stated on Monday afternoon that they had arrested one of the people suspected of being involved in hanging the Hamas banner.
Flags of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas were also waved by visitors to the site as they chanted a number of slogans, including "Khaybar, Khaybar ya yahud," which tells Jews to remember the battle at an oasis in present day Saudi Arabia where the Jewish community surrendered to Mohammed in 628 CE. The chant is often used to incite violence against Jews.
The Israel Police stated on Monday that it had arrested a suspect from Kafr 'Aqab who had set fire to an Israeli flag on the Temple Mount over the weekend. Additionally, a suspect who had stepped on one near Maale Adumim was arrested as well.
"We take seriously any violation of the symbols of the government and the flag of the State of Israel or the support and encouragement of terrorist organizations," the police said.
"The police are constantly working against those criminals and outlaws in order to bring them to justice," they said. "Recently, police forces have arrested many suspects for conducting violent riots at the Temple Mount, including those suspected of hoisting and holding Hamas flags. We will continue to act resolutely against lawbreakers and violators wherever they are."
