Binyamin Netanyahu on the Temple Mount (Photo: Roy Avraham/L.A.M)/Maariv
The adviser to the commander of the Jerusalem district for Arab affairs in the police, Deputy Superintendent Eyal Hevri, commented today (Tuesday) on the organization's preparations for the Ramadan period and said that "free entry to the Temple Mount will be allowed".
The officer said the words as part of a brainstorming session on "Ramadan and the Temple Mount during the war" held at the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Studies.
However, in his words, the Hebrew emphasized that this decision is "contrary to the position of the police - but in accordance with the position of the IDF and Shin Bet.
In the end, we are implementing a policy of the Israeli government and the political echelon."
Regarding the police's opposition to this position, the Hebrew explained that "no one wants to see disorder on the mountain and it will be difficult to implement it in view of the situation in which crowds will enter there.
Those who will not enter the mountain are those who in the past had a background in disturbances there.
It will not be an arbitrary screening." The Hebrew estimated that between 10 and 15 thousand Palestinians residents of Judea and Samaria will enter the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan.
Between 10,000 and 15,000 Palestinians who live in Iosh will enter the mountain during Ramadan/Reuters
"We have a dialogue with clerics and the people of the Waqf, we do everything to bring about a calmer and more pastoral atmosphere. We sit with them frequently, but there is pressure on them from the Muslim public, so that may be why they present the situation as bad. We would like that if there are disturbances they will This in front of the police but it doesn't happen and they take four steps back, they say they are ready to take responsibility but it doesn't happen," said the officer.
The Hebrew added that unlike in recent years, the festive atmosphere in the upcoming month of Ramadan in the east of the city will be felt at a low intensity, this after a broad investment by the municipality in aspects of culture and commerce throughout the Old City and the east of the city, the main reason for this according to him, "is because of the identification with what is known as the massacre in Gaza, and therefore this year The events will focus on prayers and religious songs, there will be community events, but it will be in the surrounding neighborhoods and not on the mountain and its surroundings. Last year we invested a lot of money to create a holiday atmosphere, it helped a lot in neutralizing disturbances since they had an interest in preserving the peace."
"There will always be threats, it doesn't matter that much in the actions that the police will take," the officer stressed, "last year was the best behavior that could have been and yet there were disturbances and stone throwing on the Temple Mount."
More on the same topic:
The Temple Mount
Ramadan
Muslims
Gaza war
War of Iron Swords