Israel will strive to maintain freedom of worship for Muslims at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the Temple Mount during Ramadan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says at the start of a session on preparations for the holy month, which will begin on March 10 or 11.
“Israel’s policy has always been and will always be to maintain the freedom of worship for all religions,” he says. “We of course have always acted this way during the Ramadan holiday and we will act like this now.”
“We will do everything to maintain the freedom of worship on the Temple Mount, while appropriately maintaining security and safety needs, and we will allow the Muslim public to celebrate the holiday.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot are among those attending the session.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is also at the session, as are the heads of the National Security Council, the Shin Bet, the Israel Police Forces and other senior security and political officials.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
