High Court demands Minister Ben-Gvir explain the closure of the Temple Mount on Saturdays
The Supreme Court of Israel issued an important decision this week regarding the Temple Mount. The justices scheduled an initial hearing on a petition filed against the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the Israel Police. The petitioners are seeking to open the Temple Mount for visits on Saturdays as well, as is the case during the rest of the week.
Following the petition, the court ordered the minister and the police to submit a formal and reasoned response within 48 hours. The petitioners argue that the decision to keep the site closed on Saturdays is not based solely on security considerations, but rather on "extraneous considerations" that are unrelated to the law or the public interest.
The issue of the Temple Mount is considered one of the most sensitive topics in Israel, both from a security perspective and from a religious and political standpoint. Any change to the status quo at the site could lead to significant tension, which is why the police and the political echelon are required to manage the site with great caution and close coordination.
Now, the Israeli public awaits the state's response to the court. The upcoming hearing is expected to shed light on the official policy regarding the matter and on the legal and security justifications behind the decision to restrict entry to the holy site on days of rest.