Itamar Ben Gvir proved he was not a team player after walking back his commitment to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about visiting the Temple mount this week.
The National Security Minister made his ascension to the Temple Mount early Tuesday morning, the 10th day of the Hebrew month Tevet which is a fast day that commemorates the events that led up to the destruction of the Temple. Netanyahu had spoken to Ben Gvir yesterday about his plans out of concern that it would appear provocative, and Ben Gvir had allegedly acquiesced to the 6-time leader, with reports saying he would go in a few weeks. However, in a surprise move the right-wing lawmaker and head of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) party leader ascended Mount Moriah early this morning.
🇮🇱 — UPDATE: After sitting down with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli National security minister Itamar Ben Gvir will postpone his planned visit to Temple Mount — Hamas warned Ben Gvir could ‘blow up the situation’ if he visits the holy site.
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) January 2, 2023
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry immediately attacked him, calling it an "unprecedented provocation." The terror group that rules Gaza, Hamas added that "the battle will not stop until the final victory of our people.” Hamas has started missile attacks on Israel over similar visits, and the Palestinians claim that the second intifada was sparked when Ariel Sharon went up to visit the site in 2000, although there is evidence that Yasser Arafat had planned the uprising long before Sharon made his visit.
Two years ago today, Netanyahu said: Had I approved Itamar Ben Gvir going up to pray on the Temple Mount it would have set the Middle East on fire." pic.twitter.com/HKxcrejKsX
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) January 2, 2023
Despite the harsh reactions from the terrorist organization, the internal security service, Shin Bet, did not oppose Ben Gvir’s visit, and the Israel Defense Forces did not change any protocols for it. Ben Gvir is the first sitting minister to visit the holiest site for the Jewish faith in several years. Ben Gvir is a frequent visitor of the Temple Mount, and when he discussed his plans of continuing his visits with the new Israeli Knesset, there seemed to be no concrete warning of a physical response or action by the terrorist organizations if Ben Gvir were to continue his ritual.
The Tuesday morning visit was approved by all the Israeli relevant authorities and maintained the status quo on the mountaintop. Accordingly, the IDF did not change its deployment in the Judean and Samaria or even alert its air defense systems near Gaza of possible attacks.
In a very dramatic move minister, Itamar Ben Gvir visit temple mount, in spite of Hamas warning not to do so pic.twitter.com/JK3LcX60hy
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) January 3, 2023
With the exception of the Palestinian Authority, which condemned it as expected, Jordan was also outraged by Ben Gvir’s ascension to the Temple Mount. "We strongly condemn his attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque," they said in a statement just a week after King Abdullah warned that "we have red lines, and if someone wants to confront us - we are ready." Palestinian and Jordanian rhetoric often calls Jewish visitors to the site an attack, while Christian or other religious visits are considered friendly. Jews are forbidden to pray on the entirety of the complex by the Jordanian Waqf which controls the site under an agreement with Israel.
Jordan added that "this is an unacceptable violation of international law and of the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and the holy places. Israel bears full responsibility for the dangerous consequences of this escalation, which undermines all efforts made to prevent a violent escalation that threatens security and peace."
Ben Gvir: "The Temple Mount is open to everyone and if Hamas thinks its threats will deter me, let them understand times have changed." https://t.co/vK8mlQg4oN
— Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) January 3, 2023
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said that "the crime of the fascist Zionist minister Ben Gvir in attacking the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a continuation of the aggression of the Zionist occupation. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was and will remain Palestinian, Arab, Islamic, and no fascist force or person can change this fact. The Palestinian people will continue to defend the holy places and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and this battle will not stop until the final victory of our people and the expulsion of the occupier from our land."
Even opposition leader Yair Lapid attacked Ben Gvir’s visit and said: "This is what happens when a weak prime minister is forced to appoint the most irresponsible man in the Middle East combined with the most explosive place in the Middle East."
Ben Gvir responded to all the criticism in a statement released after his Temple Mount visit: "Our government will not surrender to the threats of Hamas. The Temple Mount is the most important place for the people of Israel, and we maintain the freedom of movement for Muslims and Christians, but Jews will visit the mountain, and those who make threats should be dealt with with an iron fist." He further added, “Netanyahu knew from the first moment and agreed that we must not surrender to Hamas threats."
