National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called out Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to close the Temple Mount to Jewish visitors until the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to close the Temple Mount to Jews during a wave of terror attacks is a grave mistake that won’t bring quiet but can only escalate the situation. The lack of Jewish presence on the Temple Mount will automatically lower the police presence on the Mount, something that will create a fertile bed for the incitement to murder of Jews and even a situation of rock-throwing at Jewish worshippers at the Western Wall. When terrorism hits us, we have to hit it back, not capitulate to it.”
As reported, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced prior to the onset of the last day of Passover that Jewish visitors would be banned from the Temple Mount until the end of Ramadan.
The announcement was made following a situational assessment by the heads of the defense establishment, with the Prime Minister, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The statement added that the decision was made “on the unanimous recommendation of the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief of Staff, the Director of the ISA, and the Israel Police Inspector General.”
During the discussion, the Police Commissioner warned of severe violence on the Temple Mount and presented intelligence showing intentions of violence in locations besides the Temple Mount.