TEL AVIV —
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir demanded on Sunday
evening to allow Jews to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque during the last ten days of
Ramadan, as reported by an Israeli channel.
اضافة اعلان
The channel
"13" (private) reported that Ben Gvir, an extreme right-wing figure,
called for permitting Jews to enter Al-Aqsa during the final ten days of
Ramadan, contrary to the policy of prohibiting such incursions during that
period to prevent escalating tensions, Al-Ghad reported.
Ben Gvir
informed Israeli security officials of his request, and a discussion on the
matter is expected within the Cabinet in the next two weeks, according to the
channel.
Amid
increased warnings of attacks during Ramadan, Israeli officials expressed
concern about Ben Gvir's demand, warning that altering the current situation
would lead to further disturbances.
As of 21:00
GMT, there has been no statement from Ben Gvir or the government regarding this
matter. Despite efforts, Ben Gvir repeatedly tried to hinder Palestinian
worshippers from the occupied West Bank from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque or
determining their numbers.
While
Israeli police impose restrictions on Muslim worshippers' entry to Al-Aqsa,
tens of thousands of Palestinians from occupied Jerusalem and inside Israel
perform Tarawih prayers at the mosque.
Worshippers
from the West Bank are allowed to enter Jerusalem for prayers at Al-Aqsa if
they hold valid magnetic security permits, based on security assessments,
according to a previous statement by Israeli police.
Palestinians
argue that Israel is working to Judaize Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa, erasing
its Arab and Islamic identity. They insist on East Jerusalem as the capital of
their hoped-for state, based on international legitimacy, which does not
recognize Israel's occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1981.
The tension
in Jerusalem is exacerbated as Ramadan coincides with Israel's ongoing
devastating war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, which left tens of thousands of
civilian casualties, mostly children and women, and an unprecedented
humanitarian catastrophe, according to Palestinian and UN data.
Israel
persists in its war despite facing, for the first time since its establishment
in 1948, a trial at the International Court of Justice, the highest judicial
body in the United Nations, on charges of committing "genocide"
against Palestinians.
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