Posted on 04/11/23
| News Source: JPost
The Har Habayis will be closed to Jewish visitors from Wednesday until the end of the month of Ramadan, which is set to end near the end of next week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided on Tuesday afternoon.
The decision was made despite the situation on the Har Habayis remaining relatively calm in recent days and despite the opposition of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The decision to close Har Habayis for Jewish visitors is a "grave mistake that will not bring quiet" to the region, Ben-Gvir said in a direct attack on Netanyahu. "It can only escalate the situation.
"The lack of Jewish presence on Har Habayis will automatically cause a decrease in police presence on the Mount, which will create fertile ground for calls of incitement to murder Jews," the national security minister charged. "When terror strikes, one must respond strongly rather than succumb to its whims."
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the decision was reached based on the unanimous recommendation of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar and Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai.
Shortly before the decision was announced, the Hamas movement called on Palestinians to head to al-Aqsa mosque and stay there overnight and warned Israel "against committing any foolish act against al-Aqsa."