The appearance by Christian Arab MK Basel Ghattas on the Temple Mount Wednesday, in violation of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s order that MKs stay from the site, is “contemptible” and could lead to murder, said Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan. He stated:
Knesset Members who infiltrate on the Temple Mount are contemptible in my eyes, and they are liable to cause trouble that could result in the deaths of innocent people.
Ghattas disguised himself as a normal tourist and was able to sneak past guards without any questions. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein urged Jewish MKs not to try to match Ghattas and prove that also can visit the holy site.
Opposition MK Yoel Hasson joined government Knesset Members in their criticism of Ghattas.
Likud Minister Miri Regev urged Edelstein to evict Ghattas from the Knesset.