In a historical ruling, Judge Malka Aviv decided that police must allow Jews to pray at the Temple Mount, the holiest Jewish site in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The court case, Yehuda Glick vs. the Israeli Police, was brought forth after Rabbi Yehuda Glick was banned from visiting the Temple Mount after he was seen giving a Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount on television.

Prior to this decision, Israeli police prohibited Jews from praying on the Temple Mount for security reasons. The police ban even included silent prayer, or mouthing the words to a prayer to oneself. According to Israeli police, non-Muslim prayer at the Temple Mount would incite Islamic violence.

Glick has been actively involved in movements to return Jewish prayer to the Temple Mount and he is no stranger to the violence regarding the controversial subject. At an event about the future of the Temple Mount, Glick was the target of a failed assassination attempt by an Islamic militant. Despite the threat to his life, Glick continued to campaign for the ability of Jews to pray freely.

According to Aviv, this decision will “ensure that Jews are able to pray on the Temple Mount, and not to act sweepingly to prevent Jews from praying on the Temple Mount.” From now on, Israeli police can no longer implement a blanket ban on Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount to try to keep Jewish visitors safe.

The judge also stated the police’s decision to ban Glick was “without appropriate consideration, was arbitrary, and only out of concern for the consequences of the broadcast.”

Glick told The Jewish Press the Israeli police’s decision to ban him from the Temple Mount interfered with his ability to earn a living, as he leads group tours on the Temple Mount.

In addition to the broad victory regarding prayer at the Temple Mount, Glick was awarded damages and compensation for legal expenses.