Female Islamist activists regularly harass Jewish visitors
Female Islamist activists regularly harass Jewish visitorsReuters

The Muslim women banned from the Temple Mount for harassing Jewish visitors may be subject to indictment by the State Attorney for their actions. 

The women, who are members of the Islamic Movement's “Murabitat” group, were banned in September from entering the Mount for periods between 10 and 60 days, Walla! News reported on Thursday.

Days later, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon declared both the male “Murabitun” and female “Murabitat” as illegal organizations following recommendations from Israel Security Agency and the Israel Police. 

“The activity of the Murabitun and Murabitat is a central element in creating the tension and violence on the Temple Mount in particular and in Jerusalem in general,” said a statement issued by Yaalon's bureau.

“This is dangerous and inciting activity against tourists, visitors and worshipers at the site, that leads to violence and could cause loss of life.”

The Attorney General, who approved Yaalon's order on the grounds the women "prevented access to a sacred space" according to legislation enacted after the Six Day War in 1967, now appears willing to prosecute the women. 

The law states that "a person who does anything likely to violate the freedom of access of members of different religions to the places sacred to them - is liable to imprisonment for five years."

So far, two residents of Jerusalem - one in her 20s and the other in her 40s - have been indicted on charges of preventing a Jewish man from accessing the Temple Mount last April as well as attacking a female officer. 

Another woman has been accused of verbally assaulting and pushing former Jewish Home MK Shuli Muallem as she visited the site.