Defense Minister Israel Katz vows to strengthen Israel’s sovereignty over Jerusalem, including the flashpoint Temple Mount site.
In a post on X, Katz shares images of himself visiting the Western Wall and posing with IDF soldiers, stating that he prayed for the return of hostages, peace for Israeli communities, the defense of security forces and the defeat of Hamas.
“On Tisha B’Av, two thousand years after the destruction of the Second Temple, the Western Wall and the Temple Mount are again under the sovereignty of the State of Israel,” he writes.
“Israel haters around the world continue to make decisions against us and protest, and we will strengthen our hold and sovereignty over Jerusalem, at the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount, forever,” he adds.
The statement comes after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the flashpoint Temple Mount earlier today and openly prayed, violating the sensitive status quo that has historically governed the site.
The act drew condemnation from Jordan and Saudi Arabia, while the Prime Minister’s Office asserted that the status quo remains unchanged.
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