National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reiterated in an interview with Army Radio on Monday that his policy allows Jews to pray on the Temple Mount.
“If I said that Muslims are not allowed to pray, you would kill me,” said Ben-Gvir.
The National Security Minister also claimed that there is no discrimination between Jews and Muslims and that Muslims are therefore allowed to pray anywhere – even at the Western Wall.
When asked if he would order a police officer to stop a Muslim arriving with a prayer rug from praying at the Western Wall, Ben-Gvir replied: “Of course not. Everyone would say that is racism, but Muslims do not recognize the holiness of the Western Wall.”
Ben-Gvir also said: “If I could do what I wanted, a synagogue would also be built on the Temple Mount.”
“Netanyahu must act”
The Prime Minister’s Office responded that the status quo on the Temple Mount remains unchanged.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “Challenging the status quo on the Temple Mount is a dangerous, unnecessary and irresponsible act. Ben-Gvir’s actions endanger the national security of the State of Israel and its international status.”
“The measures taken by the Israeli army yesterday to contain the Hezbollah attack have strengthened the State of Israel. Ben-Gvir’s statements weaken us,” Gallant concluded.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel responded to Ben-Gvir’s remarks by saying: “Prime Minister Netanyahu must take immediate action to correct Ben-Gvir’s comments on the Temple Mount this morning.
“His irresponsible statements put to the test Israel’s strategic alliances with Muslim countries that are part of the coalition fighting the Iranian axis of evil. His lack of wisdom could cost lives.”
Education Minister Yoav Kisch condemned Ben-Gvir’s words, adding: “Any change to the status quo on the Temple Mount, especially in times of war, must be carried out professionally in the cabinet and all its meanings and consequences must be examined.”
He further noted that Ben-Gvir’s irresponsible statements in the media on this issue were unnecessary and stupidly populist.
Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid also criticized the statements.
“The entire region sees Netanyahu’s weakness in the face of Ben-Gvir,” Lapid said. “He cannot control the government, even though this is a clear attempt to undermine our national security. There is no policy, no strategy, and in reality there is no government.”
MK Benny Gantz wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “To our regional partners and friends – there is no change in the historic status quo of the Temple Mount.
“Despite the provocative and irresponsible rhetoric of some, Israel is committed to preserving this historic status and has no intention of changing it. Religious freedom will always be guaranteed at this holy site.”
The terrorist organization Hamas also responded to Ben-Gvir’s comments by saying that “Arab and Islamic nations assume their responsibility in protecting Al-Aqsa and the holy sites.” It also called the far-right minister a “terrorist” and called on Palestinians in the West Bank to “mobilize and gather in Al-Aqsa and its courtyards and oppose the plans of the occupation” and urged them to “escalate their confrontations” with Israelis.
