Newly installed National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir plans to visit the Temple Mount sometime this week, according to Israel’s KAN News public broadcaster.
זֶה הַיּוֹם עָשָׂה השם נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ pic.twitter.com/UPsFehZanK
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) January 1, 2023
Police officials — including Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai — say they will discuss Ben Gvir’s plans on Monday, according to the report.
Ben Gvir, who was received by a police honor guard Sunday as the new Minister of National Security, met with Shabtai on Sunday for a first working meeting and received a situational picture of “many issues on the agenda,” he said in a statement.
He added that he intends to hold additional meetings with Shabtai in the coming days and plans to work together with the police commissioner on “strengthening the security of the citizens of Israel.”
Multiple mainstream media outlets labeled Ben Gvir’s intention to visit the Temple Mount — which he did recently as well — as “incendiary.”
Ben Gvir confirmed in a tweet that he indeed plans to visit the Temple Mount, but did not say whether he would do so this week.
אני מודה לכל כלי התקשורת על ההתעניינות בנושא העליה להר הבית. אכן, הר הבית הוא נושא חשוב וכמו שאמרתי אני מתכון לעלות להר הבית.
לגבי לוחות הזמנים – אני מבטיח לעדכן כשאעלה. עד אז, אשמח שכל ערב ייפתחו מהדורות החדשות עם ידיעות שעוסקות בשאלה מתי אני מתכוון לעלות להר הבית.
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) January 1, 2023
“I thank the media for taking an interest in the issue of visits to the Temple Mount,” he wrote in response to the report.
“Indeed, the Temple Mount is an important topic and as I said, I intend to visit the Temple Mount.
“As for the timetable — I promise to let you know when I do visit.
“I would be delighted if every evening’s newscast begins with reports dealing with the question of when I intend to visit the Temple Mount,” he added.
