Bibi: Don’t Believe ‘Lies’ That Israel Is Digging Under Temple Mount
Benjamin Netanyahu called on Arab citizens not to believe “lies” by “an extremist minority” accusing Israel of digging under the Temple Mount.
“Last week, extremist elements tried to undermine quiet and peaceful life in Jerusalem,” the Israeli prime minister said at the start of Monday’s Cabinet meeting, just hours before the opening of the Knesset’s winter session. “An extremist minority disseminated lies to the effect that we intend to dig, or were actually digging, under the Temple Mount. I would like to make it clear that this is an outright lie.”
Netanyahu also appeared to be addressing the world Muslim community and the rumors that Israel planned to build a synagogue on the Temple Mount, according to reports.
“I appreciate the fact that the decisive majority of Israeli Arabs were not dragged after these provocations and did not allow the extremists to exploit the lies. This morning, I would like to appeal to Israel’s Arab citizens, who want to live good and peaceful lives here and tell you that you are an inseparable part of the State of Israel,” he said. “Our intention is to implement the goals that we all share – peaceful coexistence, good neighborly relations and a prosperous future for our children as citizens with equal rights in the State of Israel.”
Netanyahu’s remarks come after nearly two weeks of Muslim unrest in the capital, mostly surrounding the Temple Mount.
The Israeli leader also thanked the police and security forces, “who did, and are doing, their utmost to maintain quiet and public order.”
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
