The question becomes is it worth it in the short or even the long term. Israel has agreements with the gulf arab states and that is very important. If they do something that could be seen as an insult to Islam, like throwing out the Waqf and installing itself as "rulers" of the Temple Mount (Something they should have done in 1967 but did not because without authority Moshe Dayan gave them back the keys to the Mount) no matter how much these states want to remain in the Abraham Accords they will be forced to pull out. This will leave Israel in an even more dangerous position. All Iran has to do is say that the Jews have taken over Al Aqsa and it would be true right? Thus creating a real holy war that the Islamic world cannot ignore.
There are alot more subtle ways to take control of the Temple Mount . Israel has rules in place that work and will use them when they need to. Interestingly though, there was no violence at all during Ramadan was there at prayers at the Al Aqsa. Palestinians are also not stupid. They do not want to give Israel an excuse to take over the Mount in full. Most of them also do not want to die for Hamas either. They see what Israel has done in Gaza and is doing in Judea and Samaria right now.
Sometimes you really need to leave good enough alone for the time being.
Checkers and chess are games where the winners are able to think three and four moves ahead. I do not think the future ramifications of an Israeli takeover of the Temple Mount has been thoroughly thought out. Although initially all Jews would have a feel good moment. Mark
The future ramifications of any Israeli 'takeover' of the Temple Mount have been THOROUGHLY thought through by all those who matter in Israel: Shin Bet, Mossad and BOTH of Israel's Foreign and Home Affairs Departments. That is why the Status Quo remains EXACTLY as it is. We police the place, and those of the Muslim Faith are free to pray there (all at the agreed Times and Holy Festivals), as The Dome of The Rock. We have The Kotel. This arrangement works fine and well as this is. Best Wishes. Am Israel Chai.
Saudi Arabia should be encouraged to announce to the world, in English and Arabic, that the guardian of Mecca seeks peace among the faiths, and Muslims must no longer seek to impose themselves upon the Jews and Jerusalem. They should announce this if, and when, they sign the Abraham Accords, or even if they don’t sign them. Such a statement can go a long way to curb the religious motivation behind anti-Israel rhetoric and violence.
Israel should long ago have destroyed the Al-Aksa mosque, a move that has nothing to do with religious tolerance or its absence but one that constitutes a direct reply to the Muslim century old lie that the Al Aksa mosque is in danger and the Jews are responsible for defiling and destroying it. Indeed, the current Hamas war against Israel has been christened the Al-Aksa Flood, which only confirms past history. The mosque is simply a building, which Israel should reduce to rubble and follow the act with a proclamation to the people of Gaza to return all the hostages immediately and surrender Sinwar and his buddies or they will endure the same fate as the Al-Aksa mosque. Ditto to Lebanon, demanding Hizbollah vacate southern Lebanon to beyond the Litani River and the Lebanese ensure that or its country will be devastated. Bingo! All's fair in love and war, an adage even older than the Al-Aksa mosque is in danger.
History has shown that Islam does not tolerate other faiths, maybe Israel being a Democratic nation, could set the example of tolerance for its many faiths, even though historically it shows nothing but violence and hostility. If we look to India and how it’s been able to retain its tolerance and humanity amidst genocide at the hands of Islam by tyrannical rulers over some 800 years, maybe Israel too can try to achieve this. It seems impossible given how Islam and its ideaoligy operates, but maybe Israel needs to lead the way in keeping its values as a tolerant democracy?
Thank you, Mr. Levine, for addressing the Temple Mount (war). My word. War it is and will get worse, shortly, regardless of Israel giving in to the ever changing bureaucratic semantics. The 9th of Av is in a few days. Attempting to keep the status quo has never worked for the righteous. Treaties, accords, diplomatic handshakes with the enemy is merely paper shuffling while the Islamic terrorists conspire. Desperate maneuvering to appease. For Jerusalem this has been since 1967 as a commenter earlier said, and calling Jerusalem ‘home to 3 Abrahamic religions’ keeps the war brewing. Deal making on Jerusalem has brought Israel nothing but closer to annihilation. The mosque is an abomination sitting atop the Holy of Holies. YHWH chose Salem as His Temple site to dwell with His people and teach the nations the Law. YHWH’s eyesight hasn’t dimmed with age.
It is exactly your Jewish Religious Fanaticism about G-d , Miriam, which is mirrored in each of the other two religions which claim this site too. The fact is that your beliefs DO NOT negate the other claims. Get used to this fact. After years of Religious wars in Europe, Secularism won. Your Extremism only leads to strife, just as Fanatical Islam has lead The Arabs to their Wars and self-destruction. Get used to this Logical reality too. Zealotry and Fanatical Religion of any sort LOST. If you want a simple Logical test about this matter, where was Almighty YHWH during the Holocaust, or World Wars One and Two? Sorry to be so harsh. No insult intended.
Sounds like you are advocating for communism and atheism to solve the issues of humanity. One only needs to look at Pol Pot, Mao, Stalin or Lenin to realise the true issues at hand are not religious difference but power and intolerance. It happens within any political structure, regardless of religion.
Another form of fanaticism, it’s the same dance with different shoes, albeit sanctimonious ideaoligy. It seeks to destroy all faiths in order to have one true faith, a lot like Islam in fact. Hugely problematic. Common interests of power play across all political spectrums, driven by money and a refusal to cede power. It’s a takedown of liberal democracy under the guise of quasi humanity. It’s Marxism essentially. We only have to look at history to see that played out. In fact it’s playing out even today.
Power resides through a network, not an alliance and a group dictatorship who share things in common Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, Venezuela, Zimbabwe nothing in common ideological, theocratic Iran and communist athiest China, it’s a Marxist anti capitalist indoctrination and it’s truly just as troubling as any other oligarchic and kleptocratic power.
I advocate for Secularism (Like we have here in the UK), with space for those of quiet Faith who don't make religion any trouble for anyone else. This is neither 'Communist' or 'Atheist'.
None taken. I was suddenly humbled a while ago and started studying. Dad was right, now there is a zealot I wish I had back with me. It is amazingly clear the war we are facing.
I miss my own father's faith as well. But I do not allow the simple and human yearning for a greater purpose and Afterlife to make me a Bigot about the religious faith of others and their religious experience. This ABSOLUTELY includes Muslims and Christians, and those of other Faiths or non. You say 'It is amazingly clear the war we are facing'. Be careful, Miriam, because the Nazis want a War which Destroys Israel as well, and is using End-Times Beliefs and 'Prophesy' to bring this about.
The Lord is the same Abrahamic G-d for all three Religions. The Muslims say exactly the same about Dome of The Rock, and The Christians say exactly the same about the Holy Sepulchre. Sovereign Israel and we Jews are the Civil and State-Power, to be sure. Thus, this comes with responsibility to keep the peace between all three. But The World would soon turn its back on us if the Christian and Islam Faithful were not respected. We may not survive alone without American Arms and money.
I understand that interpretation. But everything has changed. Both America and State of Israel are facing imminent danger. Appeasement does not work. October 7 was the absolute result of handing Gaza back to monsters. Same with being given Jerusalem in a war Israel couldn’t win but did and then handing it back for ‘peace.’ And Israel cannot trust America. Not until Ezekiel 37 happens, a miracle the angel of The Lord explained. Isaiah 9-11 fills that prophecy out. Hosea, Habakuk, Zechariah…Stop by for coffee and smells of barnyard and we can talk about…Zion. Shalom.
I am not Religious, but there has been talk on the Extreme Far Right in Israel to re-establish The Third Temple on the Dome of The Rock. I re-state that The Holy Land is sacred to ALL three of the Abrahamic Religions, and our Arab obligations in Israel actually keep us more safe from nuclear attack by Islamists because such Terror groups cannot use such a weapon without mass-Muslim casualties in Israel itself. This is important, because Islamist terror groups will not be supplied with Nuclear devices by either the Arab or Iranian Militaries because of this fact if it would result in such horror against the Muslims in Israel itself.
The question becomes is it worth it in the short or even the long term. Israel has agreements with the gulf arab states and that is very important. If they do something that could be seen as an insult to Islam, like throwing out the Waqf and installing itself as "rulers" of the Temple Mount (Something they should have done in 1967 but did not because without authority Moshe Dayan gave them back the keys to the Mount) no matter how much these states want to remain in the Abraham Accords they will be forced to pull out. This will leave Israel in an even more dangerous position. All Iran has to do is say that the Jews have taken over Al Aqsa and it would be true right? Thus creating a real holy war that the Islamic world cannot ignore.
There are alot more subtle ways to take control of the Temple Mount . Israel has rules in place that work and will use them when they need to. Interestingly though, there was no violence at all during Ramadan was there at prayers at the Al Aqsa. Palestinians are also not stupid. They do not want to give Israel an excuse to take over the Mount in full. Most of them also do not want to die for Hamas either. They see what Israel has done in Gaza and is doing in Judea and Samaria right now.
Sometimes you really need to leave good enough alone for the time being.
Checkers and chess are games where the winners are able to think three and four moves ahead. I do not think the future ramifications of an Israeli takeover of the Temple Mount has been thoroughly thought out. Although initially all Jews would have a feel good moment. Mark
The future ramifications of any Israeli 'takeover' of the Temple Mount have been THOROUGHLY thought through by all those who matter in Israel: Shin Bet, Mossad and BOTH of Israel's Foreign and Home Affairs Departments. That is why the Status Quo remains EXACTLY as it is. We police the place, and those of the Muslim Faith are free to pray there (all at the agreed Times and Holy Festivals), as The Dome of The Rock. We have The Kotel. This arrangement works fine and well as this is. Best Wishes. Am Israel Chai.
Saudi Arabia should be encouraged to announce to the world, in English and Arabic, that the guardian of Mecca seeks peace among the faiths, and Muslims must no longer seek to impose themselves upon the Jews and Jerusalem. They should announce this if, and when, they sign the Abraham Accords, or even if they don’t sign them. Such a statement can go a long way to curb the religious motivation behind anti-Israel rhetoric and violence.
Israel should long ago have destroyed the Al-Aksa mosque, a move that has nothing to do with religious tolerance or its absence but one that constitutes a direct reply to the Muslim century old lie that the Al Aksa mosque is in danger and the Jews are responsible for defiling and destroying it. Indeed, the current Hamas war against Israel has been christened the Al-Aksa Flood, which only confirms past history. The mosque is simply a building, which Israel should reduce to rubble and follow the act with a proclamation to the people of Gaza to return all the hostages immediately and surrender Sinwar and his buddies or they will endure the same fate as the Al-Aksa mosque. Ditto to Lebanon, demanding Hizbollah vacate southern Lebanon to beyond the Litani River and the Lebanese ensure that or its country will be devastated. Bingo! All's fair in love and war, an adage even older than the Al-Aksa mosque is in danger.
History has shown that Islam does not tolerate other faiths, maybe Israel being a Democratic nation, could set the example of tolerance for its many faiths, even though historically it shows nothing but violence and hostility. If we look to India and how it’s been able to retain its tolerance and humanity amidst genocide at the hands of Islam by tyrannical rulers over some 800 years, maybe Israel too can try to achieve this. It seems impossible given how Islam and its ideaoligy operates, but maybe Israel needs to lead the way in keeping its values as a tolerant democracy?
Thank you, Mr. Levine, for addressing the Temple Mount (war). My word. War it is and will get worse, shortly, regardless of Israel giving in to the ever changing bureaucratic semantics. The 9th of Av is in a few days. Attempting to keep the status quo has never worked for the righteous. Treaties, accords, diplomatic handshakes with the enemy is merely paper shuffling while the Islamic terrorists conspire. Desperate maneuvering to appease. For Jerusalem this has been since 1967 as a commenter earlier said, and calling Jerusalem ‘home to 3 Abrahamic religions’ keeps the war brewing. Deal making on Jerusalem has brought Israel nothing but closer to annihilation. The mosque is an abomination sitting atop the Holy of Holies. YHWH chose Salem as His Temple site to dwell with His people and teach the nations the Law. YHWH’s eyesight hasn’t dimmed with age.
It is exactly your Jewish Religious Fanaticism about G-d , Miriam, which is mirrored in each of the other two religions which claim this site too. The fact is that your beliefs DO NOT negate the other claims. Get used to this fact. After years of Religious wars in Europe, Secularism won. Your Extremism only leads to strife, just as Fanatical Islam has lead The Arabs to their Wars and self-destruction. Get used to this Logical reality too. Zealotry and Fanatical Religion of any sort LOST. If you want a simple Logical test about this matter, where was Almighty YHWH during the Holocaust, or World Wars One and Two? Sorry to be so harsh. No insult intended.
Sounds like you are advocating for communism and atheism to solve the issues of humanity. One only needs to look at Pol Pot, Mao, Stalin or Lenin to realise the true issues at hand are not religious difference but power and intolerance. It happens within any political structure, regardless of religion.
Another form of fanaticism, it’s the same dance with different shoes, albeit sanctimonious ideaoligy. It seeks to destroy all faiths in order to have one true faith, a lot like Islam in fact. Hugely problematic. Common interests of power play across all political spectrums, driven by money and a refusal to cede power. It’s a takedown of liberal democracy under the guise of quasi humanity. It’s Marxism essentially. We only have to look at history to see that played out. In fact it’s playing out even today.
Power resides through a network, not an alliance and a group dictatorship who share things in common Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, Venezuela, Zimbabwe nothing in common ideological, theocratic Iran and communist athiest China, it’s a Marxist anti capitalist indoctrination and it’s truly just as troubling as any other oligarchic and kleptocratic power.
I advocate for Secularism (Like we have here in the UK), with space for those of quiet Faith who don't make religion any trouble for anyone else. This is neither 'Communist' or 'Atheist'.
None taken. I was suddenly humbled a while ago and started studying. Dad was right, now there is a zealot I wish I had back with me. It is amazingly clear the war we are facing.
I miss my own father's faith as well. But I do not allow the simple and human yearning for a greater purpose and Afterlife to make me a Bigot about the religious faith of others and their religious experience. This ABSOLUTELY includes Muslims and Christians, and those of other Faiths or non. You say 'It is amazingly clear the war we are facing'. Be careful, Miriam, because the Nazis want a War which Destroys Israel as well, and is using End-Times Beliefs and 'Prophesy' to bring this about.
Jerusalem is Mine, said the Lord.
The Lord is the same Abrahamic G-d for all three Religions. The Muslims say exactly the same about Dome of The Rock, and The Christians say exactly the same about the Holy Sepulchre. Sovereign Israel and we Jews are the Civil and State-Power, to be sure. Thus, this comes with responsibility to keep the peace between all three. But The World would soon turn its back on us if the Christian and Islam Faithful were not respected. We may not survive alone without American Arms and money.
I understand that interpretation. But everything has changed. Both America and State of Israel are facing imminent danger. Appeasement does not work. October 7 was the absolute result of handing Gaza back to monsters. Same with being given Jerusalem in a war Israel couldn’t win but did and then handing it back for ‘peace.’ And Israel cannot trust America. Not until Ezekiel 37 happens, a miracle the angel of The Lord explained. Isaiah 9-11 fills that prophecy out. Hosea, Habakuk, Zechariah…Stop by for coffee and smells of barnyard and we can talk about…Zion. Shalom.
I am not Religious, but there has been talk on the Extreme Far Right in Israel to re-establish The Third Temple on the Dome of The Rock. I re-state that The Holy Land is sacred to ALL three of the Abrahamic Religions, and our Arab obligations in Israel actually keep us more safe from nuclear attack by Islamists because such Terror groups cannot use such a weapon without mass-Muslim casualties in Israel itself. This is important, because Islamist terror groups will not be supplied with Nuclear devices by either the Arab or Iranian Militaries because of this fact if it would result in such horror against the Muslims in Israel itself.