Israeli Police Oppose Settler Incursions into Al-Aqsa on Saturdays, Clashing with Ben-Gvir
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Israeli police are opposing settler incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Saturdays, contrary to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's push for such access. This professional police stance aims to maintain the current status quo, allowing entries only on weekdays. The opposition comes amid a legal petition and Ben-Gvir's direct appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to permit Saturday visits, which the police view as a security risk. A recent pilot program allowed settlers to enter with prayer books, but other religious items are still prohibited.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli police oppose settler visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Saturdays, conflicting with Minister Ben-Gvir.
- The police recommend maintaining the current status quo, restricting Jewish entries to weekdays.
- Activists petitioned the Supreme Court to end the Saturday ban on non-Muslim entry to Al-Aqsa.
- Minister Ben-Gvir urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to allow Saturday visits for "governance and sovereignty."
- A recent pilot program allowed settlers to enter Al-Aqsa with prayer books, but other items remain banned.
The Israeli police have drawn a line against allowing Jewish incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Saturdays, a stance that contradicts the position of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has been pushing for such access. This professional police view, reported by the "Walla!" website, advocates maintaining the status quo, which currently permits Jewish entries only from Sunday to Thursday during specific hours under strict regulations.
This development follows a petition filed in early September by "Temple Mount" activists to the Supreme Court. The petition, which names the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Security, and the Commander of the Jerusalem District, seeks to overturn the ban on non-Muslim entry on Saturdays, arguing there is no security justification for the continued closure.
In parallel with the legal track, Ben-Gvir sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 16, requesting permission for Saturday entries to reinforce what he termed "governance and sovereignty." He claimed that yielding to threats poses a security risk. The state, however, has requested additional time from the Supreme Court to study the issue.
The police's opposition is significant given recent concessions, including extending visiting hours and facilitating entries. The Commander of the Jerusalem District, Major General Avshalom Peled, revealed in an October interview that the police conducted a pilot program with the Shin Bet security agency, allowing 15 settlers to enter Al-Aqsa with prayer books. However, requests to bring prayer shawls and phylacteries remain denied.
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