PM Netanyahu Doesn't Reduce Muslim Congregants In Al-Aqsa During Ramadan, Right-wing Minister Calls Israel Dangerous

Itamar Ben-Gvir. (Wikimedia Commons/DedaSasha)

JAKARTA - Israel's far-right minister said the country's government's decision did not reduce Muslim pilgrims at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan would harm Israelis.

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision not to reduce the number of Muslim pilgrims allowed to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, endangering Israelis.

"It shows Prime Minister Netanyahu and his small cabinet think nothing happened at 10/7. This decision endangers Israelis and may provide an overview of Hamas' victory," Ben Gvir said in a statement released by his office, referring to the Hamas group attack., as quoted from CNN March 6.

Ben Gvir, leader of the highly nationalist Jewish Power party, has previously recommended limiting the number of Muslim worshipers allowed to visit the compound during Ramadan.

Earlier, PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Tuesday that Israel would not reduce the number of pilgrims allowed to worship at Temple Mount in the first week of Ramadan compared to previous years.

The prime minister's office said "assessment of the situation around security and safety" would be made every week and "a decision would be made based on it," quoted by The Times of Israel.

"Ramadan is a holy day for Muslims, and the purity of the holiday will be maintained this year, as happens every year," said PM Netanyahu's office, rejecting Ben-Gvir's proposal.

PM Netanyahu said at the beginning of the security meeting regarding preparations for Ramadan, the government prioritized freedom of worship for all religions. The decision on the amount was taken after the meeting.

Citing Xinhua, the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex, known by Jews as Mount Temple, is considered by Muslims as their third holiest site. The site is overseen by Jordanian Waqf but is located in East Jerusalem, an area annexed by Israel after it was first captured in the 1967 Middle East war.