Hamas's failure to exploit Ramadan for terror is a win for Israel, worshippers - editorial

• Published date: 09 April 2024
• Author: JPOST EDITORIAL
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

It wasn't just a paper tiger either. Two weeks before the March 10 beginning of the holiday, Hamas arch-terrorist Ismail Haniyeh called for Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank to march to Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque at the start of Ramadan

Speaking during an assessment at the IDF Central Command ahead of Ramadan, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Hamas, along with Iran and Hezbollah were planning to turn Ramadan into "the second stage of October 7, and ignite the ground."

"Hamas's main goal is to take Ramadan, with an emphasis on the Temple Mount and Jerusalem, and turn it into the second phase of their plan that began on October 7," he said. "We must not give Hamas what it has not been able to achieve since the beginning of the war."

Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir presented a plan to severely restrict Muslims, including Israeli Arabs, from entry to the Temple Mount during the month. According to his program, only worshipers over 70 would be allowed to enter.

That plan, initially endorsed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, prompted a huge backlash from the Muslim world amid threats of even more violence if it was implemented. It was eventually shot down, after opposition from the Israeli security apparatus including the police, the IDF, and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). The discussion concluded that entry for Palestinians will follow the previous years' regulations.

Knesset member Mansour Abbas commended Netanyahu at the time for the "responsible decision to allow freedom of worship for Muslim worshipers at al-Aqsa Mosque." He urged the Arab public to exercise their right to prayers and fulfill their religious duties during the holy month while upholding law and public order.

Netanyahu emphasized Israel's commitment to preserving freedom of worship for all religions. He assured that appropriate security and safety measures would be in place to allow the Muslim public to celebrate the holiday while maintaining law and public order.

And lo and behold, despite the Hamas calls for violence and Ben-Gvir's over-the-top response to restrict freedom of worship, Ramadan, which ends this week with the three-day festival, Eid al-Fitr, has passed peacefully.

Yes, there was a spate of Palestinian terror attacks against Israelis throughout...