Description

Photo:
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, center, flanked by his security detail, approach the entrance to Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem on Monday. Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
Published by Haaretz
__

'We all believe in one God and want peace between the nations, and we must not let extreme fringes lead us,' said Rabbi Yosef, who was joined by other leading rabbis condemning Monday's visit

by Yael Freidson for Haaretz
Aug 15, 2024 7:18 pm IDT

Five senior rabbis, including Israel's former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Rabbi of the Old City of Jerusalem Avigdor Nebenzahl, published a video condemning visits by Jews to the Al-Aqsa/Temple Mount complex, following National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit on Tuesday.

The former chief rabbi said in the video: "I call on the nations of the world, do not see those government ministers as representing the people of Israel. They do not represent the people of Israel. Most of the Jews in the Land of Israel and in the world do not go up to the Temple Mount. Please act to calm the spirits, we all believe in one God and want peace between the nations, and we must not let extreme fringes lead us."

The video, which was distributed with subtitles in Arabic, was filmed at the request of Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion. This, according to the municipality, was at the request of security officials who asked him to mobilize religious leadership to convey a clear message on the issue.

President of Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah Rabbi, Shmuel Betzalel, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Rabbi David Cohen, and Rabbi Simcha Rabinowitz also participated in the video.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu distanced himself from the far-right minister and fellow coalition member saying that the status quo at the site stands, and the policy there is subjected to the government and the prime minister.

Last month, Ben-Gvir caused an uproar after vowing to change the status quo that prohibits Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City.

This is the fourth time, Ben-Gvir has visited the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound as National Security Minister, and the third time since Oct. 7 and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, drawing ire from critics both at home and abroad. Prior to Monday's visit, Ben-Gvir last visited the compound in July.