Politics, Temple Mount
On the day of Netanyahu's speech: Ben Gvir sparks another firestorm
National Security Minister Ben Gvir: "I am the political leadership and the political leadership permits Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount."
Earlier today (Wednesday), National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said at a conference on the Temple Mount that "Last week I prayed at the Temple Mount, we pray at the Temple Mount. I am the political leadership - and the political leadership permits Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount."
This statement caused a firestorm, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant calling Ben Gvir a "pyromaniac who wants to set the whole Middle East on fire."
Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is set to give a speech to Congress today, responded that "The status quo on the Temple Mount did not change and will not change," presumably including the prohibition on Jewish prayer.