COVER

A smiling Having miraculously survived a late-October assassination attempt, Mount activist survivor and his supporters are upbeat, and stronger than ever in his status as an ‘extremist’ – of faith in human beings,

and human rights

• ORIT ARFA

his Hanukka, the Glick family is celebrating the personal miracle of Yehudah Glick’s survival of an October 29 assassination at- tempt. TBut if Glick has his way, his survival may pave the way for the type of miracle that a YEHUDAH GLICK with his parents, recovering in . (Orit Arfa) different Yehudah – Judah the Maccabee – se- cured for the Jewish people over 2,000 years ago: the reinstatement of Jewish sovereignty and worship on the . A few days before Hanukka, and seven weeks since the shooting outside the Menachem Be- gin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, the tempo- rary Glick home is filled with a sense of opti- mism and joy. “Not a single day goes by that I don’t thank Hashem [God] for the miracles,” Glick says. Glick’s wife, Yafi, who joins the interview intermittently, says his narrow escape from death prompted an incredulous atheist, in- terning at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, to remark, “I’m going up to the Temple Mount.” The Glicks have temporarily moved to the capital from their home in as Glick heals. Scabs on his hand appear from under the cast on his left arm, and he wears that same pajama top I’ve seen in pictures of him online. His state of mind is upbeat and lively. “The pajama company should pay me mil- lions of dollars to model,” he jokes as he poses for the camera. I met Glick this past summer when he gave me a Temple Mount tour in anticipation of a musical parody of Carly Simon’s Let the River Run that I filmed, celebrating the Jewish re- turn to Jerusalem. Despite my having sung solo, wearing jeans and a T-shirt – in contra- GLICK IS wheeled out of the hospital by his wife Yafi and his family on November 24, seven weeks after an assailant vention of Jewish laws of modesty – he pro- put four bullets in his body. (Marc Sellem) moted it on his active Facebook page and

10 DECember 19, 2014 defended me against accusations of im- inherited his sense of humor from his propriety. We’ve stayed in touch since. father. It’s not immediately clear that he Back then, he conducted himself inherited from his red-headed parents with the solemn decorum proper to his signature, flaming red hair; Prof. what is ’s holiest site – and to Shimon Glick’s beard is white like Santa the ubiquitous security surveillance. Is- Claus, and Brenda wears a wig. rael Police, together with plainclothes “He was always a character,” Prof. representatives of the Jordanian Wakf Glick says of his son. Earlier this year, Muslim religious trust, watched his ev- Prof. Glick, as dean emeritus of the Fac- ery move. As he described the location ulty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion of the Temple’s inside University of the Negev, received the the , a group of Mus- Lifetime Achievement Award of the lim men formed a prayer quorum beside Bonei Prize, granted to Western him, drowning out his explanations immigrants for outstanding contribu- with Muslim chants, some of which – tion to the Jewish state. He and his wife Glick was quick to point out – had Jew- immigrated to Israel from Brooklyn ish equivalents, like the call to worship when Glick Jr. was eight. the one God. “Now, my claim to fame is that I’m Ye- Now, I get to see Glick’s humorous side. hudah’s father.” “I don’t know if you know, but I went Glick’s parents remember him as a through an assassination attempt a few mischievous, funny and giving child – A POLICEMAN stands at the cordoned-off area where Yehudah Glick was shot on weeks ago,” he says, when I ask him how a “wise guy.” By way of example, Prof. October 29 in Jerusalem. (Marc Israel Sellem) he’s doing. Glick tells the story of when Brenda His parents are visiting him from their complained about Yehudah’s dirty 99% clean. That’s pretty good!’” a big boy,” his father adds. home in Beersheba, and it’s clear Glick shirt. “He said: ‘It’s 1 percent dirty and Now, it turns out, Glick has unwit- As he underwent multiple surgeries, tingly outsmarted the man who wanted Glick garnered headlines the world over. him dead. Physically, he’s about 20% His attempted murder ignited more dis- wounded, and 80% healthy. Pretty cussion and debate on Jewish political, good. Actually, very good considering civil and religious rights on the Temple four bullets – fired point-blank – missed Mount – more than his persistent visits every essential organ, limb, vein, artery ever did. Some media outlets were quick and nerve. He’s expected to fully recov- to label Glick a “far-Right activist” (The er in half a year, provided he dutifully Guardian) and “agitator” (The New York completes physical therapy. Times), much to the chagrin of his sup- But not far into the interview, Glick porters. lies down on the sofa, weary, and Glick prefers “human rights activist,” conducts the rest of our conversation but he wasn’t bothered by the press cov- vertically, snuggled in a blanket. He erage he managed to read. puts his humor on hold as he discuss- “Actually, I was pretty positively sur- es what he remembers of the night he prised by some of the articles I read,” was shot, and what it means for the Glick says. “I think the press, whatever I political, religious and spiritual future read, was sympathetic, even ‘pro’ my ac- of the Temple Mount. tivities. I think they gave a true picture.” After Israel captured the Temple WHEN THE helmeted assailant pulled Mount during the Six Day War, the Is- up on a motorcycle outside the Begin raeli political establishment, in consul- Center on that Wednesday night, Glick tation with the rabbinic establishment, didn’t notice the gun. He assumed he maintained the Wakf’s administrative was someone who wanted to discuss control of the Mount, or “Noble Sanc- his work advocating for Jewish freedom tuary” to , while asserting Is- of worship on the Temple Mount, the raeli security control. Al-Aksa Mosque, subject of his talk at the conference that situated on the grounds, is considered had just wrapped up. the third-holiest site in Islam. Jewish “I didn’t have any pain, and I didn’t visitors can ascend through one gate feel I was in any position of death or at limited hours, while Muslims have danger,” he says of the moment after he full access from 11 gates; police prohibit was shot. “But my friend who was right from uttering prayers or carrying next to me yelled out, ‘Rabbi Yehudah, any religious objects on the Mount. don’t go! We need you.’ Then I realized, Over the years, Jewish visitation to maybe I’m in some kind of danger.” the Mount has progressed towards the When he woke up from an induced mainstream, no longer relegated to a 10-day coma, he figured only two days fringe group seeking to detonate the had passed. “My first recollection was Dome of the Rock. While the Chief Friday night. My son was standing there Rabbinate forbids ascension on reli- in my bed singing songs to me.” gious grounds, prominent are in- He was shocked to learn he had been creasingly taking the lenient view that unconscious for 10 days. Temple Mount visitation is permissible, As head of the Haliba organization for provided that Jews follow the ritual Jewish freedom on the Temple Mount preparations, including immersion in a and a public face of a growing Temple mikve. Mount advocacy movement, Glick had Critics often view advocacy-driven been a target of Muslim extremists for visitation to the Mount as a provocation some time. – a match lighting a powder keg – as wit- “We worried about this all the time,” his nessed in the upsurge of violence in the GLICK POINTS to a sign at the entrance to the in December 2013. mother says. “We knew it was coming.” capital in recent weeks. Glick re- The sign says that it is against Jewish law to ascend the Temple Mount. (Marc Israel Sellem) But they didn’t try to stop him. “He’s jects the notion that he provokes

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violence, but admits to being a certain tempted assassination. Ir Amim is an “I was shocked when I heard Yehu- take into account flare-ups that may occur type of “extremist.” NGO whose tagline is commitment to dah Glick was shot,” Tatarsky wrote. “It due to Mount activity. “But first and fore- “I’m very extreme in my faith in hu- “an equitable and stable Jerusalem with should go without saying that regard- most, we need to consider the violence man beings, in human rights. These are an agreed political future.” less of what Mr. Glick wants to happen that we are responsible for. Changing the things I received in my DNA from my “Yehudah called me on the spot to say on the Temple Mount, there is no justi- status quo on the Temple Mount without parents. I’m extreme in my open-mind- a few words,” Tatarsky said via email. “I fication for violence.” the agreement of the Palestinians and edness to different opinions.” wasn’t invited formally, didn’t have time He be- while the occupation in the He had invited Aviv Tatarsky, a re- to prepare and spoke briefly.” A year-and- lieves Is- West Bank stays in place falls searcher at Ir Amim, to provide a coun- a-half ago, Glick was invited to speak on raeli poli- under the category of ‘sys- terpoint to his talk the night of his at- a panel at Ir Amim’s own conference. cy should tematic violence’: violence done by the state.” The Mount, he said, must be considered in the context A MAN wearing a kippa is seen standing of the wider Israeli-Pales- in front of the Dome of the Rock. tinian conflict. “Therefore, (INSET) Sarah Lucrat (left) is circled currently it is a political along with another visitor to the issue to be solved through Temple Mount, singled out in an negotiations, and not a hu- Arabic-language Facebook group man rights issue. The issues as provocateurs. of sovereignty and prayer (Marc Israel Sellem, Facebook) are not two separate issues for the Temple movements either: National feelings are fueling the movements. “Only 18 months ago, they decided that in order to gain public support, they need to hide those agendas and focus on the issue of prayer,” Tatarsky writes. Glick plainly states his desire for Israe- li sovereignty over the Temple Mount, but as a means towards religious free- dom. Israel is the only Middle Eastern country with a track record of religious tolerance. “Our goal is to get as many Jews and non-Jews onto the Temple Mount, and to get into a position of freedom of prayer for all there. Jews should be part of the natural view of the Mount, and the Mount should be a center of reli- gious tolerance worldwide and a house of prayer for all nations.”

GLICK IS longing to go back to the Tem- ple Mount, but he must wait until he fully recovers and police grant him per- mission. He has a turbulent history with Is- rael Police. In the last year, he staged two hunger strikes to protest a police ban barring his entry to the Mount; he brought suits against discriminatory police practice in the Supreme Court and won; he was awarded NIS 30,000 in damages for two wrongful arrests. But the courts recently rejected an appeal to lift the ban barring his entry, following what he said was a false charge filed by a Muslim woman accusing him of push- ing her, causing her to break her arm. “The Temple Mount is the center of my life; it’s the heart of my heart, the heart of my nation. But I must say that my major goal in life is not Yehudah Glick going on the Mount, but hundreds of thousands of Jews going on the Mount.” Which raises the question: How has the assassination attempt affected the resolve of his colleagues and support- ers? Was this a tipping point that will al- low him to realize his dream – or curb it? Glick’s colleague, Rabbi Chaim Rich- man, international director of , which Glick head- ed from 2005 to 2009, has not veered

12 DECember 19, 2014 from his regular twice-weekly visits to police complaint. attempt. For her, the issue isn’t only site,” Rosenfeld said. the Mount, despite his being a target of A master’s student in conflict resolu- about freedom of worship; she hopes But Glick believes police neglect left radical Muslim groups. As a precaution, tion at the Hebrew University, she de- the will eventually re- the door open for his assailant. Hours he walks around armed. The Temple fines herself as observant while grant- place the Dome of the Rock. after the attack, police cornered their Institute’s mission is to prepare for the ing herself some religious liberties. She “The holiest place for our nation is main suspect, 32-year-old Islamic Jihad Third Temple in part by recreating Tem- eventually decided to forgo the ritual occupied by the Muslims. Surely, it member Moataz Hejazi, who died in a ple vessels and drawing architectural purification process required to ascend can’t be both of us will be there. How shootout with police. blueprints; education about the Temple the Temple Mount, believing the just- it will change, I don’t know. It’s some- “They knew I was under threat. In- grounds figures in his work. ness of the cause trumps such halachic thing for God [to decide].” stead of preventing it, in a lot of ways “It’s an attempt to right a historical considerations. they encouraged it by making me into wrong that has several generations of Lurcat first visited the Mount a year GLICK HOPES Temple Mount advocates a demon, by trying to put me in a po- Israelis being taught by the secular ago. “When I went up, I saw the humil- won’t be deterred by death threats or sition where I look like a provocative and religious establishment that we iating experience for Jews. How they the attempt on his life. person.” have no connection to this place,” shout at us, don’t let us move, don’t let “Look, the Arabs didn’t like the fact Hejazi had served 10 years in an Israeli he says in a telephone interview. He us pray. The police surround us... I knew that we established the state. After its es- prison for terrorist activity, yet managed views increased Muslim ire as a by- there was a problem here.” tablishment, 6,000 soldiers were killed to secure a job at the Begin Center’s product of the mainstreaming of Jew- She categorizes her struggle as one for in the War of Independence. Should we restaurant. ish ascension. democratic values. “We want it to be cancel the state? You can’t give up.” “There’s still a joint investigation be- Richman contends that rebuilding open to all, as it should be in a demo- Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld ing carried out by the [Shin Bet’s] Gen- the Third Temple isn’t an “extreme cratic country.” could not comment on specific com- eral Security Service and Israel Police on agenda” but the agenda of mainstream The Glick incident has only strength- plaints filed by Temple Mount activists the attempted assassination of Yehudah Judaism, reflected in Jewish liturgy’s ened her resolve. “Even though it’s hard, – threats by Arabs against Jews, and vice Glick,” Rosenfeld said. daily prayers for Jerusalem. dangerous and even scary, the move- versa. “A lot of threats have been go- But could there be a reason for the “The question is how it’s going to ment is just, and someone has to do it.” ing around on social media, and those failed assassination – a higher purpose? come about. We teach that it won’t come When going out, she periodically looks threats are being dealt with,” he said. “I’m not a spokesman of God, and I about through confrontation, but it will over her shoulder, trigger-ready for the “There are ongoing investigations.” can’t say why he saved me,” Glick says. come about from Jews bringing light in pepper spray in her purse, pessimistic As for the Mount, Israel Police contin- “Two things I could say for sure: First, if the world that will make the nations of about police protection. After Glick was ue to coordinate security with the Wakf God forbid I would have been killed, it the world ask us to build the Temple.” shot, she temporarily suspended her to prevent violent incidents. “There’s would have been a very big hillul Hashem Facebook account at the behest of her no change whatsoever in terms of status [desecration of God’s name]… the fact THIS PAST summer, Glick introduced me concerned parents. of the Temple Mount.” that Arabs killed someone whose life is to Sarah Lurcat, a member of the nonde- Other voices unabashedly call for Recently, two Israeli men tore their devoted to God’s Temple Mount. nominational grassroots movement Stu- Jewish sovereignty over the Mount. garments as a ritual sign of mourning, “On the other hand, the fact that God dents for the Temple Mount, consisting Women for the Temple, a grassroots and were removed from the site. Simi- saved me – I don’t know because of what – of a diverse group of university students movement supported by Glick, was larly, a group of Muslim women intent it means he still has some mission for me. I who regularly ascend the Mount. founded to lead workshops and tours on harassing Jewish visitors was pre- can only pray that I will succeed in promot- Lurcat appeared in my music video, for women seeking to ascend, since vented from ascending. ing His cause, what He expects from me.” easily identifiable by her dirty blonde women follow more specific purifica- “Israel Police escort visitors on the Visibly tired and in pain, Glick bows hair. She shared with me a list of tion rituals. Member Tziporah Piltz is Temple Mount throughout visits to pro- out of the interview. “I’m allowed to Facebook pages in Arabic that circle her encouraged by an increased interest in tect them and prevent any incident, and complain,” he offers as his final joke – as a target; she filed them as part of her their work following the assassination to respond to any Arab violence on the and last laugh. ■

TOURISTS AND Jewish visitors wait to be cleared by security in order to go up to the Temple Mount. (Marc Israel Sellem)

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