Rep. Dennis Ross (R., Fla.) was accosted by several women shouting "Allah Hu Akbar" and "Leave!" while touring the holy Temple Mount area of Jerusalem’s Old City last week, according to video of the incident and an interview with the lawmaker.
"Allah Hu Akbar!" the group of several women can be seen shouting at Ross as they wave their hands. The screams continue as Ross attempts to speak about his visit to the Muslim holy site, as seen in a video posted on YouTube by the Temple Institute.
"We’re now being chanted to by some Muslim ladies who are saying, ‘Allah Hu Akbar,’ God is great, and get louder the closer we sort of get to them," Ross tells the camera as the women shout louder. "A little bit different type of reception than I’m used to."
Ross told the Washington Free Beacon that the group of women, as well as others spotted across the site, were seeking to provoke the group, which consisted of the lawmaker, his wife, a congressional staffer, two Israeli police officers, and several other tour group members.
"They followed us," Ross said in an interview. "We were clearly pointed out to them."
"Different people would appear throughout our little tour and wander around in the background with us," Ross said. "It was very strange, but we were kind of warned about this. They were trying to provoke us. "
Ross explained that group arrived outside the entrance to the Temple Mount prior to its opening, but were "detained" by security officials.
"As we walked over the bridge there and turned the corner, there was what you think would have been a group of older women in a prayer group," Ross said. "As soon as they saw us they started yelling, ‘Allah Hu Akbar’. And they kept following us."
Ross said he never felt threatened and understood that the women have a right to free expression.
However, he said, "It’s just amazing to me that for such a holy site that they are so political in their aggression toward anything but their own religion."
The Temple Mount area, home to two of Islam’s most holy mosques, has long been a hotbed for violence and tension in Jerusalem. Arab youths and others have often accosted Jewish individuals there and used the site as a venue for anti-Jewish displays.
Yitzchak Reuven, a tour guide who led the Rosses' group, said in a statement posted by the Temple Mount organization that the incident was "unfortunate."
"It was unfortunate that he had to witness the duress and harassment that Jewish visitors are subjected to on a daily basis," Reuven said. "It is important to note that these agitators receive direct payment from extremist Islamic organizations for their efforts to intimidate us, but they will not scare us away. The number Jewish visitors to the site continue to grow."
The Temple Institute, a nonprofit educational organization based in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, said that in addition to the chanting incident, Ross "was witness to Jewish groups being separated and subjected to excessive security checks, then followed by Islamic Waqf guards to ensure that they don't partake in any form of prayer or non-Muslim worship."
Ross spent a week in Israel earlier this month on a mission sponsored by YES! to a Strong Israel. Ross met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as members of the Israeli Knesset and Israeli Defense Forces members.