Israeli Ministers Clash Over Temple Mount Restrictions During Ramadan
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s demand for severe restrictions on Israeli Arabs and a ban on West Bank Palestinians in accessing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the upcoming Muslim holiday month of Ramadan.
Ben-Gvir has demanded that only Israeli Arabs over the age of 70 should be allowed up to the Temple Mount, site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, during Ramadan, which begins March 10. His stance was reportedly endorsed on Sunday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel security authorities have not sought such a strict age limit, with the police saying that Israeli Arabs over the age of 45 should be allowed access, and the Shin Bet intelligence agency saying there should be no age limit for Israeli Arabs.
In addition, Ben-Gvir, apparently backed by Netanyahu, also demanded a complete ban on West Bank Palestinians from the Temple Mount during Ramadan, while the police said that Palestinians over the age of 60 should be allowed access and the Shin Bet said that Palestinians over the age of 45 should be allowed.
Katz stepped into the fray on Monday morning in an interview with Israeli TV channel Kan 11.
“Those who proposed ideological restrictions in principle will not have their position accepted. The instructions are very clear, to allow as many people as possible on the Temple Mount and avoid friction,” he said.
“The policy is very clear: Israel will preserve the freedom of worship for Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa. Any restrictions imposed will be solely for security reasons. There is a distinction in favor of Israeli Arabs, and there is no desire to restrict Israeli Arabs. What needs to be examined is the quantities and ages of individuals.”
The Temple Mount has been the site of frequent clashes between Muslims and Israeli forces in the past, and Ramadan is always a particularly sensitive time.
Cabinet discussions on the precise nature of restrictions on Israeli Arabs and West Bank Palestinians are reportedly continuing.
