MK Rotman Urges Netanyahu and Ben Gvir to Allow Shofar Blowing on Temple Mount for Rosh Hashanah

MK Simcha Rotman, chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir ahead of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays. In his letter, Rotman demands the lifting of restrictions on blowing the shofar on the Temple Mount and calls for the site to be opened for additional prayers on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, which begins this coming Saturday.

Rotman emphasized that blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a central and significant commandment of the holiday, and preventing it on the Temple Mount severely impairs the public’s ability to fulfill this religious obligation at the holiest site. The request comes amid longstanding police bans on shofar blowing at the site, which authorities consider provocative despite the ritual’s religious importance.

He also stressed the importance of allowing access to the Temple Mount for the additional prayers on the holiday’s first day, describing it as a rare opportunity for many Jews to pray at this sacred location. Restrictions currently prevent many from exercising their right to pray there.

Recent months have seen a notable increase in visits to the Temple Mount, particularly among the ultra-Orthodox community. According to the Temple Mount Administration, there has been a roughly 20% rise in visitors compared to last year. On the recent fast of Tisha B’Av, over 2,000 Jews ascended the site, including Minister Ben Gvir and other Knesset members, who highlighted the growing Jewish presence and prayer activity at the location.

Rotman concluded his letter by urging a swift and positive response, highlighting the spiritual, religious, and national significance of these requests for observant Jews in Israel. It is important to note that most leading rabbis currently prohibit ascending the Temple Mount due to concerns of ritual impurity, yet the debate over Jewish rights to pray and blow the shofar there remains a prominent public issue.