Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated Wednesday afternoon that police removed Arab Knesset Member Basel Ghattas from the Temple Mount this morning in line with his order barring legislators from visiting the holy site.
Ghattas, a Christian Arab from Nazareth, sneaked past guards who did not notice he was an MK. After he sat foot near the Al Aqsa mosque compound, cameras were whipped out to film him stating that Netanyahu and the government of Israel have no sovereignty over the Temple Mount and stop him from visiting.
Police later were seen removing him.
Ghattas is a Christian, but that has not prevented him from trying to show off to Muslims constituents how concerned he is that Jews are allowed to visit.
Netanyahu said after Ghattas’ visit:
The Temple Mount has been quiet for two weeks. We are making every effort to maintain this quiet, but it would seem that someone is disturbed by this.
MK Ghattas went up to the Temple Mount, went to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. I assure you he did not do it in order to pray, he did it solely for the purpose of provocation, only to inflame the situation.
In accordance with my general directive, the police moved him away. I will not let any Knesset member or minister ignite the Temple Mount.