Although Ben-Gvir made sure to warn of Arab-Jewish violence breaking out like it did in May 2021, his prediction was wrong. The Arab public in Israel showed restraint and patience, and many forcefully condemned Hamas' actions. The West Bank has seen some considerable escalation, but not enough to view it as joining the war started by Hamas.
During Sunday's meeting, Ben-Gvir demanded severe limits be placed on Arab-Israeli worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Not only did all security officials object; it turns out there is are legal difficulties in banning the entrance of Israeli worshippers on the basis of sweeping categories such as age. It is possible, however, to ban certain people to prevent religious incitement.
This was the decision made at the end of the meeting. Yet Netanyahu, with his fear of Ben-Gvir, released a vague summary that all participants could read as they wish. That was enough for the National Security Minister to spread the word that his position had been accepted and that broad limitations would be imposed on Israeli-Arab worshippers. And it was enough to draw warnings from Arab lawmakers, who cautioned over an intifada breaking out among the Arab public inside the Green Line.
Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir in the Knesset, in 2022Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg
134 Israeli hostages are still being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. The 135th is being kept at the PM's residence on Balfour Street. He seems to be paralyzed in fear by his extremist partners.
Some steps are taken by Netanyahu independently. For example, creating the narrative in which he is the sole protector of Israel against the danger of a Palestinian state. He is busy passing decisions in the government and in the Knesset against a unilateral push towards a two-state solution. Netanyahu chants slogans about total victory against Hamas, while in Gaza, IDF deployment is down to a fourth of what it was at the start of the ground incursion.
Minister Benny Gantz speaking on Sunday.Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
Ben-Gvir's attempt to use the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa to fan the flames in the West Bank, in Jerusalem and inside the green line, can't be seen separately from Netanyahu's position on the hostage deal. In only several weeks, we've gone from an Israeli "yes, but" (regarding the Paris proposal) to an outright refusal – a position that holds that Hamas' offers are not serious and there is no room for negotiations.
All this is happening while the hostages are running out of time and there is growing discomfort among War Cabinet ministers from the National Unity Party. It seems that – if seen against the backdrop of the Al-Aqsa affair and the hostage deal impasse – what happened on Sunday marks the beginning of the countdown to Gantz and Eisenkot's departure from Netanyahu's government.