Itamar Ben-Gvir tours Temple Mount, challenges worshipper limits following High Court protest ruling

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Temple Mount, calling for the expansion of worshipper access after the High Court approved larger protests in Tel Aviv.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 6:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Jerusalem Post

Ministerial Visit Amid Regional Tensions

Accompanied by senior officials from the Israel Police and the Home Front Command, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir conducted a high-profile tour of the Temple Mount on Monday. The visit was intended to review the site’s security posture and explore alternative entry options for Jewish worshippers. Ben-Gvir’s office confirmed that no immediate agreement was reached regarding the reopening of the site to larger groups, leading to plans for an additional follow-up tour later in the week.

Critique of High Court "Double Standards"

The core of Ben-Gvir’s visit centered on a burgeoning legal dispute between religious worship and the right to protest. On Saturday, the High Court of Justice intervened to permit anti-war demonstrations of up to 600 people at Habima Square in Tel Aviv. Ben-Gvir labeled this decision "problematic and incorrect," noting that while large-scale protests were authorized, the Priestly Blessing ceremony at the Western Wall on Sunday was restricted to a mere 50 people. He argued that the court was discriminating against a "large public" by applying one standard to secular demonstrations and another to religious sites.

Wartime Restrictions on Holy Sites

The Home Front Command has maintained stringent caps on gatherings at the Temple Mount and the Western Wall due to the volatile security situation stemming from the war with Iran and Hezbollah. While the limit for worshippers at the Western Wall was slightly increased from 50 to 100 on Sunday evening following a petition, it remains a fraction of the tens of thousands that traditionally attend during the holiday season. A formal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, to determine if these religious restrictions should be further eased in light of the protest allowances.