Sunday, July 17th, 2022 was the observance of the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, a traditional Jewish fast day. Several MKs took the opportunity to make comments about the fast day in various ways, including promoting reconciliation, casting liberal streams of Judaism as internal enemies, advocating the building of the Third Temple, visiting the Temple Mount, and calling for a new government.
Deputy Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahana (Yamina):
The fast of the 17th of Tammuz was established generations ago because the difficult things that happened on that day to our people marked the beginning of the destruction of the Temple. In my opinion, the best repair that our generation can do is to turn this day in particular into the beginning of building something – out of boundless love.
And easy and meaningful fast to all.
Miri Regev (Likud):
Today is the 17th of Tammuz, a fast day commemorating the siege of Jerusalem. The siege on Jerusalem never ended. There are those who threaten it from within, and want to harm the Western Wall and its holiness. And there are those who threaten it externally, enemies who wish to destroy us.
We will continue, with God’s help, to protect Jerusalem, our united capital, forever.
Rabbi Gilad Kariv (Labor) responded to MK Regev:
Dear Miri. The fast today commemorated the breach of the walls of the city. The imposition of the siege is marked on the 10th of Tevet. Maybe if you dealt less with populist incitement (remember how you voted for the Western Wall compromise agreement?!?) you would have more time to devote to learning the true lessons of the destruction – the danger of arrogant and corrupt governance (First Temple) and burn-it-all zealotry and senseless hatred (Second Temple).
Moshe Tur-Paz (Yesh Atid):
Today is the fast of the 17th of Tammuz. The day in which we mark five tragedies that befell the people of Israel throughout history. A day to lower tensions. To lessen conflict. To see the good in each and every person. To warn against the burning of the granaries which brings destruction to our collective home.
Itamar Ben Gvir (Religious Zionism):
Today we mark the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, the day in which the walls of the city of Jerusalem were breached, three weeks before the destruction of the Second Temple. The Temple was destroyed due to senseless hatred. At least today we will try to spread boundless love. May we merit the building of the Third Temple. Amen!
Yomtob Kalfon (Yamina) posted a picture of himself in front of the Dome of the Rock:
I was excited to ascend to the Temple Mount this morning. On the day that represents the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem and the beginning of the fall of the Temple, after two thousand years of exile – into which I was born – I ascended our holy mountain.
הָפַכְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי לְמָחוֹל לִי
התרגשתי הבוקר לעלות להר הבית. ביום שמסמן את הבקעת חומות ירושלים ותחילת נפילת הבית, לאחר אלפיים שנות גלות- בה גם אני נולדתי, עליתי להר קודשנו pic.twitter.com/gjsvC3oW0U— Yomtob Kalfon יום טוב כּלפון (@YomtobKalfon) July 17, 2022
MK May Golan (Likud) mentioned the 17th of Tammuz in relation to the tragic killing of an Israeli police officer by a 17-year-old Palestinian who stole a car and drove through a police barricade:
During the fast of the 17th of Tammuz on which we mark the falling of the walls of Jerusalem, we received another reminder of the price of our living here.
Barak Meshulam, may God avenge his blood, a 29-year-old heroic policeman was murdered (yes, murdered!) by an wicked person. Especially on this day, we pray for the replacement of the failed government and full redemption, with God’s help.
A meaningful fast to those who are fasting, and sincere condolences to the Meshulam family. May you know no more sorrow.
