Toward Ramadan: Can the Tension Surrounding the Temple Mount Still Be Avoided?

Recently, just before the month of Ramadan, some members of the Israeli cabinet called to limit access of Muslim worshippers to the Temple Mount, where the al-Aqsa Mosque is located. As the third most holy site for Muslims worldwide, any decision to restrict access to al-Aqsa has the potential to ignite violence. In parallel, it could also damage relations with Qatar and Egypt, in their efforts to help reach a hostage deal with Hamas. In this show, INSS researcher Adi Kantor hosts two experts in the field: Prof. Mohammed Wattad, a visiting senior researcher at INSS and the dean of the Law School at Zefat Academic College and Brig. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Meir Elran, a senior researcher and director of the Domestic Research Cluster at INSS. Together they discuss the religious, cultural, and social meanings of Ramadan for the Muslim community, as well as the national security implications of the proposed limitations at the Temple Mount.