Minister Itamar Ben Gvir went up to Har Habayit today, causing a brouhaha as it always does when he goes up. He makes sure to not just go up but to publicize his ascension and to mention about how he prayed, how he now allows prayer and bowing... He rules by maximizing the brouhaha.
And to be sure, I am in favor of allowing Jews to go up as much and as often as they want and to allow them freedom of prayer on Har Habayit. Even if you think Jews should not go up for halachic reasons, that should be a personal decision. The State, being a democracy, should allow freedom of worship and of access to the maximum. Not going up for halachic reasons should be for me and you to decide for ourselves, not the State.
I did find the ensuing exchange humorous.
After the brouhaha began, with many criticizing Ben Gvir's actions solely meant to antagonize the Arabs, The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying that the status quo on Har Habayit has not changed one iota. The status quo being that Jews can go up (within the limited hours set for this) to Har Habayit but they cannot pray on Har Habayit.
Shortly thereafter, Ben Gvir's office released a statement that Ben Gvir prayed on Har Habayit as per his office's policy to allow it.
Did the status quo change or not? Does it matter. Ben Gvir said it has been changed and acts accordingly, while the PMO says it hasnt and his only purpose seems to be to make the world think it hasn't even if in practice it did.
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