“Our people waited 2,000 years for this” – Rabbi on Temple Mount
Rabbi Elisha Wolfson thanked the minister of national security for what he described as historic changes to the rules governing prayer on the Temple Mount.
On April 12, 2026, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount together with Rabbi Elisha Wolfson, Israel National News reported.
During the visit, the minister described what he called major changes in the situation at the holy site over recent years. According to him, the government is now working to further expand Jewish activity there and increase the flow of worshippers.
“I remember coming here when I was 14 or 15 – what an enormous difference,” Itamar Ben-Gvir said. “Back then, everyone was shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and surrounding us, and if a Jew so much as muttered anything, he was arrested. Today, you feel like the master of the house here.”
The minister stressed that, thanks to his efforts, prayer, singing, and prostrations on the Temple Mount have become possible. The official purpose of the visit was said to be an examination of the possibility of arranging a permanent Jewish presence there, along the lines of the prayer arrangements at the Western Wall.
Rabbi Elisha Wolfson called the minister’s actions historic and significant for the entire nation. “What is happening here is what our people have waited 2,000 years for,” Rabbi Wolfson said. “You must understand that these changes are not for Temple Mount visitors – they are changes for the people of Israel.”
The visit took place under the escort of senior police officials and representatives of the Home Front Command. Ben-Gvir had previously visited the holy site in the midst of military operations, before the ceasefire agreement took effect.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Israel had passed a law making secular courts dependent on rabbis.
