Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Criticizes Minister Ben-Gvir Over Temple Mount Visit

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the First to the Nation, has sharply criticized Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, particularly regarding his recent ascent to the Temple Mount. Rabbi Yosef warned against empowering individuals who, in his view, disregard the opinions of prominent rabbis. He stated that some people "talk and draw in the youth with all sorts of slogans, but in practice, what do they do? Nothing. Just talk, talk, and the youth get excited."

Rabbi Yosef reiterated his previous warnings against ascending the Temple Mount, noting that Ben-Gvir's visit occurred "against the opinion of all the great rabbis from all circles." He questioned how one could give power to someone who "openly, proudly, and contemptuously violates and belittles all the great rabbis and ascends the Temple Mount like this."

Meanwhile, Minister Ben-Gvir published an open letter targeting the leaders of the Haredi parties. He accused them of orchestrating a campaign to deflect blame from their "colossal failure" in resolving the conscription issue during the last term. Ben-Gvir claimed that instead of admitting their failures and neglect of the Torah world, they chose to make him a scapegoat.

Ben-Gvir also criticized the Haredi representatives' historical dealings with law enforcement, referencing his own demand to dismiss the Attorney General at the start of the term, which he claims they opposed. He further addressed the conscription of yeshiva students, criticizing what he called the sector's "ostrich policy" and suggesting that they should have created alternative paths for those not actively studying. He highlighted positive initiatives like specialized police and prison service tracks for thousands of Haredi youths, which he asserted the Haredi party leaders ignored for narrow political reasons.

Ben-Gvir also revealed behind-the-scenes negotiations and claimed to possess sensitive information about senior rabbis and rebbes opposing the current political maneuvering, which he chose not to exploit. He concluded his letter with a strong message to Haredi voters, asserting that they know his claims are true and that their leaders' accusations against him demonstrate contempt for their intelligence.