Article: Israel And The Last Days
 

Tens of Jews ascended to the Temple Mount Tuesday, on Israel's Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut).   They were warned not to pray at the location, but they did so anyway. The police escort who accompanied the Jewish groups was friendly and polite, according to the Jewish activists.   Seven of the gates to the Mount are closed Tuesday. During the rest of the year, the police allow free access to the Mount through these gates, but only to Muslims. Three gates are open only to Muslims aged over 50. This step is taken in order to prevent Muslim violence against Jews who enter the Mount. Younger Muslims have been issuing calls to interfere with Jewish entry into the Mount. Jews may enter freely throught the Rambam Gate, next to the Kotel.   Jews were not as lucky last Wednesday and Thursday, on Rosh Hodesh (the celebration of the new month) of the Hebrew month of Iyar. Lines emerged as hundreds of Jews sought to visit the Temple Mount.  The Muslim gatekeepers worked at their usual slow pace, and very quickly a long line developed – stretching at times for dozens of meters, outside the Dung Gate of the Old City. The wait for some was hours.