National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has raised concerns about potential overcrowding at the Temple Mount, specifically at Al Aqsa, calling for an urgent cabinet meeting to address the issue. He claims the security forces will not be able to handle increased traffic, suggesting a risk of overcrowding and stampede, in what has been described as a 'thinly veiled attempt to ignite a conflagration.' However, his warnings have been met with skepticism. The former Shabak Chief in Jerusalem countered Ben-Gvir's claims, stating that Al Aqsa, with its numerous gates, does not have a crowd control problem. Despite this, Ben-Gvir has advocated for drastically limiting access to the site, based on 'bogus fears' of overcrowding. His advice was rejected, and he is now 'ordering the police to create overcrowding and stampede conditions,' a move criticized for its apparent disregard for safety. In a related development, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held an inter-ministerial security discussion focused on the shortage of prison space for security prisoners and has instructed to prepare Israeli prisons for thousands of new prisoners convicted of terrorism, amid concerns that Netanyahu does not notice the implications of Ben-Gvir's actions.
🇮🇱🚨‼️ “Netanyahu instructed to urgently prepare Israeli prisons to receive thousands of new prisoners convicted of terrorism” - the office of the head of government https://t.co/CPzys2d9i0
Ben Gvir is pressing to drastically limit access based on bogus fears of overcrowding and stampede (it's not a threat and never happened). His advice was rejected. Now he is ordering the police to create overcrowding and stampede conditions. A shame Netanyahu doesn't notice. https://t.co/v4WxyN1ggW
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an inter-ministerial security discussion on the issue of the shortage of prison space for security prisoners. https://t.co/SWl6BSCnm4
1/ Ben Gvir continues to peddle his warnings over the problems of overcrowding at Al Aqsa, s thinly veiled attempt to ignite a conflagration. The Former Shabak Chief in Jerusalem: Al Aqsa with it's numerous gates has no crowd control problem. https://t.co/Si3Ow9IlcA
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming security forces will not be able to handle increased traffic at the Temple Mount and demanding an urgent cabinet meeting. https://t.co/zceHrQUXnJ