Israeli PM Bennett Prevents Right-Wingers Including MK Ben-Gvir From Reaching Damascus Gate

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — After Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett caved in to pressure from Arab countries and Arab members of his coalition and closed Temple Mount to Jews, right wing elements fumed and termed Bennett’s step a concession to terror.

During the past few days, Jews visiting the Kotel have suffered from stonethrowings, assaults and attacks by Arab youths. The immediate response was to organize a flag march which would go to the Western Wall via Damascus Gate which is one of the focal points of Arab violence in recent years. The march was due to instill a sense of security into the badly shaken public which normally flock to the Old City and Western Wall during festivals but have been deterred by the Arab violence and police inability to prevent the violence.

However the prime minister, wary of a renewed conflagration in the capital, decided to block the march from reaching Damascus Gate, even preventing MK Itamar Ben-Gvir from reaching the hotspot. For right-wing Israelis, this timid move demonstrates the weakness of the government in the face of Arab terrorist threats and incitement, which have risen to shrill levels over Jewish worship on Temple Mount, although this is currently is prohibited even on the external Southern Wall below the Old City.

Ben-Gvir, who was recently falsely accused of causing the May outbreak of violence because of his visits to Shimon Hatzadik, was once again targeted by left-wing MKs, who claimed his visit to Damascus Gate could lead Hamas to another round of rockets [the group fired some rockets on Tuesday and Wednesday, but little damage was reported]. The MK, whose stay in the Shimon Hatzadik neighborhood has actually contributed to easing tensions since police located the terrorist elements in the area, decided to maintain his presence outside the Old City walls. Ben-Gvir hoped that this would provide more security for Jews walking to the Western Wall.

Ben-Gvir in his makeshift office near Old City walls