National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reiterated on Monday to Army Radio that his policy is to allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, and was criticized from all sides as an irresponsible populist.
“If I were to say that Muslims are not allowed to pray, you would kill me,” Ben-Gvir said.
The national security minister also claimed that there is no discrimination between Jews and Muslims, and therefore, Muslims are also allowed to pray anywhere – even at the Western Wall.
When asked whether he would instruct a police officer to prevent a Muslim who arrives with a prayer mat from praying at the Western Wall, Ben-Gvir responded, “Of course not. Everyone would say that’s racism, but Muslims do not recognize the sanctity of the Western Wall.”
Ben-Gvir also said, “If I could do what I wanted, a synagogue would also be established on the Temple Mount.”
'Netanyahu must act'
The Prime Minister’s Office responded that the status quo on Temple Mount was left 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 action carried out by the IDF yesterday to curb the Hezbollah attack strengthened the State of Israel. Ben-Gvir’s statements weaken us,” Gallant concluded.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel of Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party, demanded that “Prime Minister Netanyahu must immediately act to correct Ben-Gvir’s comments regarding the Temple Mount this morning. His irresponsible statements put Israel’s strategic alliances with Muslim countries, which are part of the coalition in the fight against the Iranian axis of evil, to the test. His lack of wisdom could cost lives.”
Education Minister Yoav Kisch condemned Ben-Gvir’s words as unnecessary and stupid populism, adding, “Any change in the status quo on the Temple Mount, especially in wartime, should be carried out professionally in the cabinet along with an examination of all its ramifications.”
Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid said, “The entire region sees Netanyahu’s weakness before Ben-Gvir.... He cannot control the government, even when this is a clear attempt to undermine our national security. There is no policy, no strategy, and there is, in reality, no government.”
MK Benny Gantz wrote on X, “To our regional partners and friends... Israel is committed to preserving this historic status.”
Hamas referred to Ben-Gvir as a “terrorist,” and called on Palestinians in the West Bank to “mobilize and rally at Al-Aqsa and its courtyards, to confront the occupation’s plans” and to “escalate their confrontations”.