After a meeting headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's Office has announced Israel will not change the number of worshippers allowed to pray on the Temple Mount in the first week of Ramadan.
Netanyahu disagreed with the recommendations of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and opposed severe restrictions for holders of blue identity cards during the holiday. Meanwhile, Channel 11 reported no specific decisions were made during the meeting.
Opening the meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "Israel's policy has always been and will continue to preserve freedom of religion for all. We have done so during the Ramadan holiday, and we will do so now as well. We will do everything to preserve freedom of religion on the Temple Mount and, at the same time, ensure proper security requirements and provide the Muslim community with the opportunity to celebrate this holiday."
During a meeting on February 18, Itamar Ben-Gvir recommended restricting access to the Temple Mount for Israeli Arabs and not allowing Muslims from the Palestinian Authority to enter Israeli territory. He argued that visiting the Temple Mount would be a "prize" for Muslims while Israelis are being held hostage in Gaza. In addition, Ben-Gvir demanded that the police be allowed to enter the Temple Mount in case worshippers bring Hamas flags with them.
