National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir intends to enter Jerusalem’s flashpoint Temple Mount soon for the first time since entering his cabinet role last week, the far-right leader said Sunday evening, raising fears of a potential violent Palestinian reaction.
Ben Gvir’s office has informed police that he wished to visit on Tuesday — the 10th of Tevet, a Jewish fast day mourning the events that led to the destruction of the Temple that once stood in the holy site — or on Wednesday, the Kan public broadcaster reported, citing a source involved in the matter, adding that the timing was subject to change.
The Temple Mount is believed by Jews to be the historic location of the two Jewish Temples, making it Judaism’s holiest site. It is also the third-holiest for Muslims, who refer to it as the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Noble Sanctuary. READ MORE
