Minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz responded to reports that the Prime Minister’s Office had decided on limiting the number of Muslims who could pray at the Temple Mount, promising that such limitations would be solely based on security considerations.
The State Camp Party Chairman stated that “the principled decision of the State of Israel over the years, as well as this year, is to allow the continued freedom of worship and allow ascension to the Temple Mount.” But he went on to explain that in light of the security situation, special limitations may be imposed this year “due to the sensitive security situation, limitations will be imposed deriving solely from security considerations.”
Gantz explained that such decisions had not been formally passed by the government and that “security officials will form their recommendations in accordance with the assessment of the situation and bring them before the political leadership later on.”
Gantz’s statement is in response to reports that the Prime Minister agreed to the demands of National Security Minister Ben Gvir, per which only Muslims aged 50 and above would be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount, including Arab Israelis.
