Organizations seeking to encourage Jews to visit Har Habayis report that during Sukkos, 1,611 Jews visited the holy site – referring to the six days of yomtov Har Habayis was open to Jews.

This is reportedly an all-time record and represents a 70% increase compared to last Sukkos despite the fact the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and Gedolei Yisrael Shlita prohibit visiting Har Habayis due to the isur of karess. On Thursday, the largest number of Jewish visitors was reported, a total of 448.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)