On video: Ben Gvir ascended the Temple Mount: "This is the place where we need to return and show governance"/Temple Mount Administration
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security discussion today (Sunday) that dealt with preparations for the month of Ramadan.
According to two sources, the Prime Minister accepted in principle the position of the police, according to which it will be possible to limit the entry of Arab worshipers and citizens of Israel to the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan.
Ben Gabir's demand to completely ban the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank was rejected.
According to two sources who participated in the meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu accepted the position of the police and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir that the entry of Arab citizens of Israel into the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan should be increased.
However, it has not yet been decided what will be the scope of the restrictions on Israeli Arabs, such as from what age entry will be restricted, how many worshipers will be able to enter the mountain, and more.
The sources also added that Netanyahu asked to receive data regarding the consequences of the restrictions on the entry of Israeli Arab worshippers, before the restrictions themselves were imposed by the police.
Riots on the Temple Mount, April 15, 2022/Reuters
Regarding the entry of Palestinian worshipers from the West Bank, it appears that it will be limited according to criteria of age and number - and Ben Gabir's demand to completely ban the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank will not be accepted.
According to the sources, it appears that Palestinians aged 60 and over or up to the age of 10 will be allowed to enter, and according to the estimate, it is about 15,000 worshipers in total.
Another demand put forward by Ben Gabir - to allow breaking into the Temple Mount if Hamas signs are hoisted - was rejected.
Yesterday, Ben Gabir called for Muslims living in the territories not to be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan.
"It cannot be that abducted women are being raped in Gaza, and Israel will allow a Hamas victory celebration on the Temple Mount," Ben Gabir said, adding that "they learned nothing from the Sheba in October."
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Ben Gabir's request to ban the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank was rejected/official website, Temple Mount Administration
In the Knesset committee for Ramadan last month, police officials claimed that this year's preparation in the shadow of the events of October 7 and the "Iron Swords" war required a "different approach".
The police stated that they are carrying out headquarters work and that many operations are being carried out on the operational side.
Regarding the cities involved, the police said that points of friction between Jews and Muslims were mapped so that incidents of inter-sectarian violence would not arise.
"Each district is training for violations, and at the same time a mapping of over 300 points of friction throughout the country will be done, with each one having an area file and knowing where to position themselves in light of past events. In addition, there is a routine dialogue with heads of authorities and respected people, and certainly before Ramadan," it was reported.
"The restriction will give rise to conflicts and severe violence."
Temple Mount/Reuters
Aviv Tatarsky, a researcher at the Ir Amim association, opposed the police's position and warned that "a decision to prevent Muslims from entering the Temple Mount or to limit it during the month of Ramadan will give rise to severe conflicts and violence that has so far been spared from Jerusalem and could quickly spread throughout the country and even escalate the situation in the West Bank."
Tatarsky added and said that "to avoid this dangerous situation, the restrictions should be removed as soon as possible and the next few weeks should be used for coordination with the Waqf, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority in order that the month of Ramadan does not lead to an escalation of the situation."
Knesset member Rabbi Gilad Karib (Labor) attacks the Prime Minister's decision: "Netanyahu endangers the security of the citizens of Israel by courting Kahana's people, and once again puts political interests above the recommendations of the security ranks. After four months, the common fabric of life of Jews and Arabs in Israel was put to the test , Netanyahu is asking to give support to the extremists and instigators, just as he did during all the years of his rule in relation to Hamas. Netanyahu proves once again that he is good for the extremists and a disaster for the moderates."
MK Walid Al-Huashla from Ra'am also commented on the decision: "Netanyahu once again surrendered to Ben Gabir, another dangerous and racist decision that could add unnecessary fuel to the fire of violence. The provocateur Ben Gabir wants to set Jerusalem on fire. Instead of putting him in his place and preserving the freedom of worship and prayer of The Muslim citizens during the holy month of Ramadan, Netanyahu cooperates with him. I call on all the responsible parties in the government, led by Ministers Galant, Gantz and Eisenkot, to act to cancel the shameful decision, the consequences of which could be severe for all of us."
More on the same topic:
The Temple Mount
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Benjamin Netanyahu
Itamar Ben Gvir