Muslims pray on Temple Mount facing Mecca
Muslims pray on Temple Mount facing MeccaSliman Khader/Flash 90

Following the recent proposed bill by Member of Knesset Bezalel Smotrich to close mosques that host speeches in support of terrorism, one of Smotrich’s aides spoke to Arutz Sheva regarding the background behind the new bill.  

"Today we have a situation in which we find that some Mosques are places that fuel and support terror," said Eytan Fuld. "Worshippers know which mosques to go to to pray and which ones to go to hear incitement and speeches in support of terror."

The bill was proposed to prevent religious officials whipping up their followers to commit acts of terror. Making reference to the recent law passed in France, as well as proposals made by Presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Marco Rubio to close mosques that promote terrorism, Fuld said Israel could and should apply the same standards.

"What is correct in the fight against terror in France, and in the United States is certainly true in Israel. A place that creates and incites large groups of people to commit terror activities, cannot continue to function on a regular basis without a response from the government. This proposed  bill will allow the courts to enforce a closure of any mosque that incites terror," he said.  

Fuld explained that the bill is expanding the already existing laws regarding incitement and applying them to a location that causes incitement in addition to the current laws which apply to an individual. "Currently the problem is that the law only deals with repercussions for an individual who is found guilty of incitement. But if there is a place that is known for fomenting incitement and terrorism, that place should not be allowed to continue to function and cause terrorism."

Recently, the United States Senator and Republican Presidential hopeful Rubio went one step further in the United States, not limiting the venue in question to simply mosques, but to any venue or platforms where radical extremists are 'inspired' to acts of terror. According to Rubio places that could include cafes, diners, or internet sites.

Over fifteen Members of Knesset from both the coalition and opposition have signed on to the proposed bill, including MK’s from Likud, Kulanu, Jewish Home and Yisrael Beytenu.

"We try not to just stay within the camp of the government but to represent the whole nation of Israel," Fuld explained. "This situation is ridiculously exaggerated in Israel, where people spout terror in public places of prayer. This is something that should not happen in the modern democracy of Israel."