National Security Minister Ben-Gvir Ascends Temple Mount Despite Hamas Threats Of Escalation

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Temple Mount early Tuesday morning, marking the tenth of Tevet at the site of the Temple destruction despite Hamas threats of a military escalation in such an event. Ben-Gvir was accompanied by a heavy police escort and no other Israelis were allowed to ascend at the same time.

Ben-Gvir had previously announced his intention to ascend to Temple Mount in the coming days and immediately drew a sharp reaction from Hamas as well as Israeli left-wingers. According to the Lebanese Al-Mayadeen network, Hamas issued harsh warnings on the matter through Egyptian mediators. Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned that Ben-Gvir’s actions would “endanger lives and cause the loss of lives” and added that “even though Bibi is weak he must stand up to Ben-Gvir and tell him not to ascend to Temple Mount because people will die.”

Ben-Gvir met Tuesday with Netanyahu and news reporters understood that the prime minister was trying to persuade Ben-Gvir not to go ahead with his plans. However Netanyahu apparently gave Ben-Gvir the green light but told him to coordinate his actions with security forces.

השר איתמר בן גביר אחרי עלייתו להר הבית: "הממשלה שלנו לא תיכנע לאיומי החמאס. ואנחנו שומרים על חופש התנועה למוסלמים ולנוצרים אבל גם יהודים יעלו להר ומי שמאיים צריך לטפל בו ביד ברזל"@SuleimanMas1 pic.twitter.com/Cuufb24AMt

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 3, 2023

Ben-Gvir had tweeted jocularly to the media, stating “I thank you for all of your interest in the matter of ascending to Temple Mount. It is indeed an important topic and I do intend to ascend. As for timings, I promise that I will tell you when I ascend. Until then I will be happy if every evening you open the news with a discussion of when I intend to ascend to Temple Mount.”

In response to the Hamas threats, Ben-Gvir said that “our government will not surrender to the threats of Hamas. The Temple Mount is the holiest place for the Jewish people, and we maintain the freedom of movement [at the site] for Muslims and Christians, but Jews too will ascend the mountain and those who make threats will be dealt with an iron fist.”

Following Ben-Gvir’s visit, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what it said was an “invasion” of Al-Aqsa.

Nevertheless, right-wing group Beyadenu – Returning to the Temple Mount praised Ben-Gvir for “not giving in to Hamas’ threats and intimidation. “Meanwhile, the sun continues to rise in the Middle East and there is no escalation. And even if someone tries to cause it, I trust the IDF and the police will counter the threat. The time has come for us to be a free people in our land.”

It was Ben-Gvir’s first ascent to the holy site since being sworn in as national security minister last week.