From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 19, 2024
Ben Gvir says unfettered Temple Mount access over Ramadan is ‘a danger to the country’
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Speaking at an Otzma Yehudit faction meeting in the Knesset, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir doubles down on his belief that restrictions on access to the Temple Mount are necessary during Ramadan, criticizing members of the security services who believe that allowing access to the site will prevent friction with the Palestinians.
“An official asked me not to go up to the Temple Mount during Sukkot because it might upset Hamas” but the October 7 attack still occurred, he says, adding that those opposing his policies “are the same voices that said if we let the Palestinians in it will be fine.”
“A gathering of tens of thousands of haters, a victory celebration on the Temple Mount, is a danger to the security of the country,” he declares, arguing that “the same voices that told me that the Mount should be opened to all Arab Israelis are the same voices that told me that Hamas is deterred.”
“The police are responsible for law and order in the State of Israel. The police are the body that has the responsibility on the Temple Mount and whoever has the responsibility should also have the authority,” Ben Gvir continues. “If the commander of the Jerusalem district says that there should be restrictions, then his voice should be heard.”
