Jews prohibited from entering Temple Mount at Ramadan’s end

The “status quo” policy at the holy site in Jerusalem remains unchanged, despite far-right government opposition

Israel will not allow Jews to enter the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the last 10 days of the Muslim month of Ramadan this year, following a controversial decision made by the government.

The “status-quo” policy has traditionally banned non-Muslims from entering the Temple Mount complex during the last 10 days of Ramadan, when Muslim worshippers sleep at the site they call the Al Aqsa Mosque or Noble Sanctuary.

The site has recently been a focal point by Jewish religious nationalists, including Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, an outspoken and staunch supporter of Jews having access to the Temple Mount at all times.

Last year, Ben Gvir and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich, who now serves as Israel’s finance minister, bashed the decision to maintain the status quo, calling it a “surrender to terror,” and arguing that Jews should have unlimited access to the holiest site in Judaism.

Despite now holding ministry roles in the Netanyahu-led government, the two politicians' strong objections during the meeting did not result in any change to the status quo policy.

The ongoing discontent among Jews regarding limited access to the Temple Mount is deeply rooted in the belief that it represents the holiest site in Judaism, marking the location of both the First and Second Temples as recorded in biblical history.

Furthermore, the status quo policy surrounding the Temple Mount is believed to be one of the most instrumental factors for maintaining peace in the Jewish-Arab world.

Spikes in violence, particularly at the Temple Mount complex during the month of Ramadan, are historically common. In early January, Ben Gvir sparked outrage when he appeared at the Temple Mount without warning and demanded equal prayer rights for Jews.

It was a move that infuriated Palestinians and Muslims around the world.

The Palestinian Authority called the visit an “unprecedented provocation,” while the Hamas terrorist organization threatened to launch missiles at the Jewish state.

During discussions held in Amman late last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Jordanian King Abdullah II there would be no change to the status quo during Ramadan.