Otzma Yehudit MK Itamar Ben-Gvir ascended the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday morning. While making his way to the holy site, Ben-Gvir said, "All night, Hamas people threatened me, told me I was in their sights, and suggested I not ascend the mount. My visit sends a simple message: I am not surrendering and folding to terror. The State of Israel must not surrender and fold to terrorists who want to kill us."
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He added: "With the hours already limited to begin with, during Ramadan, there will be limited hours for Jews to arrive at the Temple Mount. I call on the Israeli government to stop this. Capitulation invites terrorism and those who control the mount control all of Israel. Even the enemy understands this."
Police authorized Ben-Gvir's request to visit the site after he threatened to go to the Temple Mount regardless of their response. "I will not surrender to terrorism," he asserted.
Given security concerns over a string of recent terrorist attacks, some 3,000 officers will be sent to reinforce the capital next to contend with the upcoming Ramadan, Passover, and Easter holidays as well as Memorial and Independence Day.
The Jerusalem Police has demanded men aged 45 and under be temporarily banned from the site.
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Fazi Barhoum said that in light of Israel's decision to allow Ben-Gvir to "invade the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, we warn Ben-Gvir not to approach the mosque. Likewise, we hold Israel responsible for the consequences of this dangerous step."
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