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(A7) Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir opposes closing the Temple Mount to Jews, as recommended by security officials and as has been customary since 2013.
“I greatly appreciate the recommending parties, but in my opinion their position regarding the closure of the Temple Mount on the seventh day of Passover will endanger the worshipers who come to the Western Wall, in addition to being a reward to terrorists after they issue threats. On the seventh day of Passover, crowds come to the Western Wall plaza and the police leaving the Temple Mount is very dangerous,” he said.
“This position is also held by a very senior defense official, who also believes that it is a mistake to close the Mount on the seventh day of Passover, exposing the Western Wall worshipers to danger.”
“Officials at the Israel Police command also believe that there is no need to close the Temple Mount and certainly not for ten days. The closure of the Mount during these ten days is a new decision by the Bennett government and not a practice or status quo,” stated Ben Gvir.
Meanwhile, in wake of the security escalation, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday night ordered to strengthen the presence of police forces in central Israel also with the help of IDF soldiers.
In addition, Gallant decided to extend the general closure of Judea and Samaria and the closing of the crossings to the Gaza Strip the conclusion of the seventh day of Passover, on the night between Wednesday and Thursday.
The continuation of the imposition of the closure also includes the immediate cancellation of the civil measures approved for the month of Ramadan and the prevention of the entry of workers into Israel.
