Murabitat (defenders of the faith,^[1] steadfast,^[2] or garrison soldiers^[3])^[4][5] is an Islamist^[4] political movement of Muslim women, funded by the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel.^[6][7] The group organises classes at Al-Aqsa on Arabic literacy and qira'at and tajweed in Qur'anic recitation.

Members of the movement have also monitored Jewish visitation to the Al-Aqsa compound and attempts by activists to perform Jewish prayers,^[4] which, per the status quo, is disallowed by the Israeli and Jordanian authorities.^[3][8] Members have disrupted several such attempts by verbally abusing,^[2][4] and on occasion physically assaulting, Jewish activist groups.^[7][4] Israel has in turn attempted to bar access to Al-Aqsa by members of the group.^[6][7]

The parallel groups, Murabiton for men and Murabitat for women, were created by the northern branch of the Islamist group, Islamic Movement in Israel in 2012.^[4][3] According to Haaretz, their purpose is "to harass Jews visiting Temple Mount."^[4] The groups run a daily shuttle service between the concentration of Arab towns including Umm al-Fahm and Tayibe), that is called the Triangle, as well as from the Negev and the Galilee to the Temple Mount.^[4]

According to Israeli security officials, before the male and female groups were banned and the offices of the NGO funding them closed, activists were paid 3,000–4,000 shekels ($771–$1,028) per month, with some of the funds coming from the Gulf States.^[4]

According to Christian Broadcasting Network, the women are, "paid to harass female visitors to the Temple Mount even when they're modestly dressed."^[9]

In August, 2015, the women harassed a group of visiting Members of the United States Congress, including Rep. Evan Jenkins, Rep. Trent Franks, Rep. Keith Rothfus and Mr. Jenkins' wife, Elizabeth Jenkins.^{[9] [10][6]} Congressman Jenkins described himself as being, "struck by the level of intolerance and the confrontational attitudes and approach and actions" taken by the group."^[10] He described the behavior of the Muslims on the Temple Mount that day as "shocking".^[6]

Moshe Ya'alon, the Minister of Defense, has asserted that the groups' behavior leads, "to violence that could harm human life."^[4]

In August 2015, the activists were banned from Temple Mount by Israeli Minister of Public Security, Gilad Erdan, during morning visiting hours.^[7] Earlier, the Arab League condemned the plan to ban the group.^[11] On September 8, 2015, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon signed an order which declared the Murabitat group as an illegal organization.^[12][4]

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, head of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf that administers the Temple Mount, called the decision, "totally unacceptable", asserting that the government of Israel had "no right" to intervene.^[13]

• Al-Aqsa Massacre

• Who are the guardians of al-Aqsa?, 2016, Megan O'Toole, Al-Jazeera.
• Meet the outlawed women of Israel’s Islamic Movement, January 16, 2016, Samah Salaime, +972 Magazine.