Defying Security Officials' Position | Netanyahu Backs Far-right Demand to Limit Arab-Israeli Worshippers at Al-Aqsa During Ramadan

The BIG LIE IS, Netanyahu and Israelis claim that Solomon's Temple is buried underneath the Al Aqsa mosque and therefore Israel has a right to control the mosque

Age restrictions and residential areas of the worshippers will only be determined in upcoming deliberations, likely based on the police's position. Security officials warned the prime minister against intentions to prevent Muslim Palestinians from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Sunday with ministers and senior officials in the security establishment for security consultations ahead of Ramadan.

A source who participated in a meeting told Haaretz that Netanyahu accepted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's position to limit the entry of Israeli-Arabs to the Temple Mount/Al Aqsa mosque compound. The source added that the decision was taken contrary to the Shin Bet security position.

Netanyahu did not accept, however, Ben-Gvir's position in favor of allowing the police to raid the Temple Mount/Al Aqsa compound if worshipers would hang banners supporting terrorism or wave the Palestinian flag.

It was also decided that criteria that would allow the worshipers to enter the compound, such as age and residential restrictions, will be determined at a later date following police instructions.

Legal sources told Haaretz that imposing sweeping restrictions on Israeli citizens from ascending to the Temple Mount raises legal challenges.

During the meeting, defense officials warned Netanyahu against preventing Muslim Palestinians from visiting the compound. The defense establishment's position is that a limited number of worshippers, men over the age of sixty and women over the age of 50, who have received Shin Ben security service approval should be permitted entry after being checked upon entering and exiting the compound.

Defense officials estimated that even a limited entry of worshippers, as has been allowed throughout the years, would pacify tensions that might erupt if a blanket decision to prevent Muslim prayer on the holiday is adopted.

Defense officials also believe that Ramadan would not affect the fighting, but are prepared for the possibility that additional humanitarian aid may be required during the holiday in order to allow civilians to observe Ramadan.

(PHOTO) Tens of thousands Muslim worshippers pray near the Dome of the Rock at Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, last April.

The source told Haaretz that the meeting also discussed the government's intention to intensify enforcement efforts against illegal construction in the Negev. Dozens of evacuation orders were issued recently, and defense officials believe that any friction with Israeli Arab society may be interpreted as provocation.

The decision to pre-limit the presence of Muslim worshippers is considered unusual. In recent years, restrictions on Al-Aqsa during Ramadan were imposed only in the event of clashes or conflicts during its observance, or if it coincided with a Jewish holiday or festival.

In the past two years, following the events of Ramadan 2021 that led to Operation Guardian of the Walls, Israel made efforts to allow many worshippers, including tens of thousands from the West Bank, to attend prayers on the compound.

After several years when Ramadan clashed with Passover, Independence Day, and other Jewish holidays, this year Ramadan is expected to end before the start of the Jewish holiday season.

(PHOTO) National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, earlier this month.

On Saturday, far-right minister Ben-Gvir wrote on X that his position is that no Palestinians should be permitted to enter Israel from the West Bank toward the Ramadan. "We should not take this chance and risk [ourselves]," he wrote.

"It is impossible that [Israeli] women and children are taken hostage in Gaza, and we will allow Hamas to celebrate its victory on the Temple Mount," he added.

Centrist war cabinet member and minister Benny Gantz took to X Sunday evening, stating that the Israel's decision throughout the year and this year as well "is to enable the freedom of worship during Ramadan and the Muslim prayer on the Temple Mount.

"Considering the sensitivity around the security situation, restrictions will be put in place for security purposes alone. These restrictions have yet to be decided," Gantz wrote, adding that all security requirements "will be decided in accordance with the latest situation assessments."

Commenting on the decision, Muhammad Baraka, chairman of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee in Israel, told Haaretz that Ben-Gvir is trying to "be the general of his own private war against Israel's Arab citizens."

According to Baraka, the very act of holding such a meeting constitutes "a kind of war declaration on Israel's Palestinian citizens by the government."

Opposition lawmaker Gilad Kariv of the Labor Party also commented on the decision, saying that Netanyahu "endangers the citizens of Israel by courting Kahana's followers, and favors [personal] political interests instead of the recommendations of the defense officials."

Hadash-Ta'al lawmaker Ahmad Tibi called Netanyahu's decision "Kahanist," adding that the prime minister is "held captive by convicted terrorist Ben-Gvir".

Tibi added that "it is time for President Biden to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir", and that Hadash-Ta'al will address ambassadors and diplomats to revoke the government's decision.

Lawmaker Youssef Atauna of Hadash–Ta'al, said: "Is there anything that Netanyahu wouldn't do to please Ben-Gvir so he could continue to be the prime minister?"

Foreign diplomats involved in the negotiations for a potential hostage deal with Hamas told Haaretz last week that Israel and Hamas are working to complete the terms of a new agreement over the next month. One source said the "ideal time" to implement an agreement would be during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins March 10.