National Security Minister Ben Gvir again sparks controversy after calling for synagogue & Jewish prayer on Jerusalem's Temple Mount

Netanyahu denies change to ‘status quo’ regarding Temple Mount prayer

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Israel National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, once again, sparked controversy in Israel when he said would support constructing a synagogue on the Temple Mount, during an interview with Army Radio on Monday.

Ben Gvir also claimed government policy currently “allows [Jewish] prayers on the Temple Mount.”

Shortly after his remarks about building a synagogue on one of the most sensitive sites in the world became public, Ben Gvir began to receive criticism from across the political spectrum.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (PMO) issued a terse statement, affirming: “There is no change whatsoever in the status quo on the Temple Mount.”

The first coalition member to react was the head of the Interior Ministry, Moshe Arbel, of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. “Prime Minister Netanyahu must act immediately to put Mr. Ben Gvir in place," Arbel said.

Arbel also said that Ben Gvir’s “irresponsible remarks test Israel's strategic alliances with Muslim countries, which constitute a coalition in the struggle against the Iranian axis of evil.”

“His lack of wisdom can cost blood,” Arbel warned.

Shas, like other ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) parties, does not support Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount out of concern for ritual purity.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called Ben Gvir’s statements dangerous and irresponsible.

“Challenging the status quo on the Temple Mount is a dangerous, unnecessary and irresponsible act. Ben Gvir's actions endanger the national security of the State of Israel and its international status,” Gallant posted to 𝕏.

He also responded to Ben Gvir’s criticism of the IDF strikes on Hezbollah early Sunday morning.

“The action carried out by the IDF yesterday to curb the Hezbollah attack strengthened the State of Israel, Ben Gvir's statements – weaken us.”

ערעור הסטטוס קוו בהר הבית הוא מעשה מסוכן, מיותר וחסר אחריות. פעולותיו של בן גביר מסכנות את ביטחונה הלאומי של מדינת ישראל ואת מעמדה הבינלאומי.

הפעולה שביצע צה״ל אתמול לבלימת מתקפת חיזבאללה חיזקה את מדינת ישראל, הצהרותיו של בן גביר - מחלישות אותנו.
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 26, 2024

Education Minister Yoav Kisch, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, also criticized Ben Gvir, saying:

"Any change in the status quo on the Temple Mount, with an emphasis on wartime, must be carried out professionally in the cabinet along with examining all the implications and consequences.”

Kisch added, “Minister Ben-Gvir's irresponsible statement in the media on this issue is populist, unnecessary and stupid.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized both Netanyahu and Ben Gvir on 𝕏.

“The whole region sees Netanyahu's weakness against Ben Gvir,” Lapid wrote. “He is unable to control the government even when it is a clear attempt to undermine our national security. There is no policy, no strategy, no government really.”