July 31, 2017 -- Israelis Gather at Western Wall for Tisha B'Av

Thousands of Israelis gathered near the Western Wall to  observe the beginning of Tisha B’Av on Monday night in Jerusalem.  "Prayer leaders read aloud from the Book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah’s biblical account of the destruction of the First Jewish Temple by invading Babylonians in 586 BC."

Jewish men pray at the Wall Western in the Old City of Jerusalem, on July 31, 2017 to mark the beginning of Tisha B'av. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Jewish men pray as they gather for the ritual of Tisha B’Av at the Wall Western in the Old City of Jerusalem, on July 31, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 31, 2017 -- Claims are made that the Palestinian Authority paid Jerusalem Arabs to protest during the recent Temple Mount crisis.

An article appeared on the JewishPress.com website yesterday in which Hana Levi Julian claimed that Jerusalem Arabs were paid by the Palestinian Authority to riot over the Temple Mount.  According to Julian,

Jerusalem Arabs were promised monetary stipends of $1,000 per month for up to three months. They were also given discounts and exemptions from payments to the Jerusalem District Electric Company, which supplies power to the Arab-majority neighborhoods in the area.

Arab college students in the Old City of Jerusalem who participated in anti-Israel clashes were promised free tuition by the Palestinian Authority, according to the report.

All the employees of the Islamic Waqf Authority – which manages the holy sites on the Temple Mount but which falls under the auspices of the Government of Jordan – were also promised cash payments, according to the report, as were Arab merchants in the Old City of Jerusalem. 

The only evidence provided in Julian’s article is from Gal Berger from Kann News and Berger’s Twitter account posting from July 30, 2017.  Once on his site, I found a copy of a letter written in Arabic dated July 25, 2017 that appears to have come from the Palestinian Authorities. 

On a critical note, I say appears to have come from the Palestinian Authority.  It would be nice to have additional verification on the story.  The story does appear on i24 News and The Times of Israel sites, however, their source is Channel 2.  There is no reference to a primary source or document. 

July 31, 2017 (Arab Spring?)

In a recent article, Nir Hasson has argued that Palestinians won a victory last week surrounding the Temple Mount and that this might set the stage for perhaps more to come.  The remarkable thing, according to Hasson, is that though the Sheiks called for a ban on going up to the Temple Mount, they did not lead the protests; it was in reality an uprising that happened among the Palestinians themselves, or in other words, the people took the lead.  Those involved were not all Moslem religious; rather there were secular Moslems who feel a bond to the site, and so joined the protest because of a feeling of unity and freedom.   

If it is true that the uprising found expression among the Palestinian people without continued leadership, it raises the question, what were some of the other Arab nations thinking during the crisis and protests on the streets?  According to Zvi Bar’el, Arab states feared that the Palestinian uprising would set off another Arab Spring.  Although Bar’el does not substantially show that this was in fact the view among the Arab nations, he does demonstrate that in large part many of the Arab nations remained silent, for example Egypt, or were in effective even though they made strong statements about the crisis, such as Turkey and Iran.  Nonetheless, I agree that seeing the Palestinian protest as they unfolded surrounding the Temple Mount, did lead me to consider the question: is this part of an Arab Spring?

July 29, 2017 -- Day Three of Return to Temple Mount

The third day of the return of the Palestinians to the Temple Mount was much more peaceful.  Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman stated today, July 29, 2017 that he thinks the crisis surrounding the Temple Mount is almost over. 

In the Hebrew calendar, today is the 6th of Av.  In three days, the תשעה באב‎ (Tisha B`Av or 9th of Av) is observed with fasting, morning, and prayer.  On this day in Hebrew history, several historical events are remembered, most notably the destruction of the First Jewish Temple by the Babylonians, and the Second Jewish Temple by the Romans.  Last year nearly 400 Jewish observers visited the Temple Mount during the Tisha B`Av.  This year the numbers might well increase in large part to the recent events surrounding the mount and because a number of rabbis are calling for more Jewish visitors to the site.

Replica of Spoils of the Jewish Temple found in Titus' Arch (Credit: Jean-Guillaume Moitte)

July 28, 2017 -- Day Two of Return to Temple Mount

According to the Jerusalem Post, the second day on which the Palestinians returned to the Temple Mount in order to pray was more peaceful.  At least on the mount, but there are reports of conflicts in the cities of Bethlehem, Nablus, Hebron, and elsewhere.  Israeli authorities limited access to the Temple Mount for those males over the age of fifty, though women of all ages were allowed to enter the complex.  As a result, some Palestinians continued to protest and pray on the streets near and outside the Old City.

Although President Donald Trump has remained surprisingly silent on the recent Temple Mount crisis, it has been reported that the President spoke by phone today with Jordanian King Abdullah.  Although they discussed the present crisis concerning the Temple Mount, and most likely the “Status Quo,” it is presently unclear what details were brought up.

Israeli security on high alert at the Old City of Jerusalem, July 28, 2017 (Marc Israel Sellem)

July 27, 2017 -- Update on the Temple Mount (Conflict Returns)

After security measures were removed today, Palestinians returned to the Temple Mount later in the day.  However, disputes quickly arose between the Israeli police and those entering into and on the mount.  Presently it is unclear to me what caused the unrest.  One news agency reports that conflict broke out as people were entering the mount.  Another dispute arose at the Al-Aqsa Mosque when young Palestinians locked themselves inside the building.  They appear to have hoisted a Palestinian flag on top the mosque, which the police later removed.  After the Wafq authorities were unable to remove the youth, the Israeli police entered the mosque.  According to another news site, young Palestinians began throwing stones and bottles at Israeli police.  At some point, the Israeli police set off stun grenades to disperse the crowds. 

Lord Have Mercy!  Is this the return to the “Status Quo”?

Palestinians react as a stun grenade explodes at the Temple Mount as Palestinians re-entered the compound in Jerusalem's Old City July 27, 2 REUTERS/Muammar Awad

Young Muslim protestors climb al-Aqsa in protest (Photo: Reuters)

July 27, 2017 -- Day One of Return to Temple Mount

On the first day that Palestinians returned to the Temple Mount, It appears that someone placed a Palestinian flag on top of the roof of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.  A video has emerged that shows Israeli police removing the flag.  At some point in time, a conflict arises between those on the Temple Mount and the Israeli police.  A short video has emerged that shows a very short portion of the clash.  That same day a group of rabbis called for Jews to ascend the Temple Mount, provided they observe religious rules that include immersing in a ritual bath, not wearing leather shoes, and avoiding restricted areas such as the Dome of the Rock, which is considered the location where the Binding of Isaac took place, Jacob’s Vision of the Ladder with angels ascending and descending, and the site of the First and Second Jewish Temples. 

July 27, 2017 -- Jerusalem Mufti Mohammed Hussein: "Status Quo" Restored

On Thursday, July 27, 2017, the Jerusalem Mufti, Mohammed Hussein, announced that the situation on the Temple Mount had been restored to the “Status Quo” after the Israeli government halted the installation of smart cameras.  The new cameras were being installed in place of the metal detectors that had been placed at entrances to the Temple Mount after the two Israeli-Druse police officers were killed near the mount by assassins.  The assassins had smuggled weapons unto the mount and into Al-Aqsa Mosque before the attack.  They were later themselves killed on the mount by Israeli police.  The Mufti stated, “the situation has returned to normal and we will pray at Al-Aqsa,” and that, “we are satisfied that Israel removed all of the inspection measures at the Temple Mount’s entrance.”

It is unclear that anything has been done to restore the holy site to purity.    

July 26, 2017 -- Response from the American Muslims for Palestine

American Muslims for Palestine have called for demonstrations at the Israeli Embassy in DC.  The event is to take place this Friday, July 28, 2017.    Identical protests are to take place in Chicago, New York, Los Angels, and perhaps other cities.

Haaretz -- Temple Mount Tensions Coming to DC

July 26, 2017 -- Response from the WCC (July 20, 2017) Keep the "Status Quo"

On July 20, 2017, the World Council of Churches (WCC) reaffirmed the statements from the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem from July 19, 2017.  The WCC encouraged its fellowship members and partners to unite in prayer for a peaceful and just resolution in Jerusalem.  Father Ioan Sauca, presently the deputy general secretary of the WCC, stated that,  “keeping the historical status quo and supporting equal rights for Christians, Muslims and Jews at these holy sites is vitally important to maintaining peace and de-escalating violence.”  Father Sauca also said, “we stand in solidarity with Muslims, Jews and Christians, and we pray that justice and peace will prevail, not only this week but in weeks and months to come.”  Some news agencies have interpreted this as the WCC’s endorsement of the Palestinian protests over the new Temple Mount security precautions.  Another news site argues that the WCC is sending a message of support for the Palestinian’s campaign for Jerusalem, arguing further that the WCC has misrepresented the situation on the Temple Mount stating that Israel allows free access for all and that the security measures installed are in response to the terror attack that killed two Israeli-Druze police officers after the terrorists smuggled guns onto the holy site on July 14.  Other holy sites, including Muslim and Christians, have installed security measures following outbreak of violence. 

July 26, 2017 -- Response from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (July 19, 2017) Concern for the "Status Quo"

On July 19, 2017, the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem gave a statement concerning the Temple Mount crisis.  They expressed concern regarding the escalation of violent actions, condemning any acts of violence.  They are troubled about any change to the historical "Status Quo."  They regard the Jordanian kingdom as the custodians of the Temple Mount and other holy places.  Finally, they again call for the continued respect for the historical "Status Quo."

Response of the PHLCJ

July 26, 2017 -- My Reflections on Present Events and the Hidden Heart

Palestinians are afraid, angry, and agitated.  Well, this is a generalization, but it seems to capture some of the sentiments of some of the Palestinians who live in and around the Old City of Jerusalem.  I see pictures of those who gathered on the streets near the Lions Gate outside the old city.  I wonder what is in their hearts and minds as they pray.  When praying, they face south.  So I assume they are Muslims, though this is an assumption.  Muslims profess to hold the faith of Abraham, claim to adore the one and merciful God, and acknowledge that God will judge humanity on the last day.  They venerate Jesus and Mary, though they do not accept nor retain all Christian teachings concerning Mary and Jesus.  When I see them praying, I realize only God fully knows their thoughts and hearts.  I watch and I pray.

There are two things that concern me though.  First, a weakness of humanity is to use religion for a call to (and the use of) violence.  Historically, this has been a challenge for both Christianity and Islam.  The use of force and violence, often associated with falsehood, is a real temptation.  Secondly, humanities use of religion and ritual without a sincere faith in God.  I believe that ritual and liturgy can express sincerity.  However, ritual can also be used to mask, cover, and marginalize the hardness, the sins, the hatred, and the hypocrisy of the human heart.  The big question is what are the thoughts, intentions, and plans of those who pray near the Lions Gate?  Is it for peace or is it for war?

As Jesus said, "nothing is hidden that will not be revealed" (Lk 12:2).  As the Latins say, Tempus Omnia relevant, time will reveal all things.

Thousands of Muslim worshipers participate in evening prayers outside the Lions Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, refusing to enter the Temple Mount enclosure to reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque inside, July 25, 2017. (Dov Lieber /Times of Israel)

July 25, 2017 -- Response from Sheikh Ammar Shahin in Davis, Califormia (Annihilation)

Sheikh Ammar Shahin

I recently came across a news report and video of Sheikh Ammar Shahin, an Egyptian born American, who gave a sermon July 21, 2017 at the Islamic Center of Davis California.  He was calling for the annihilation of those who closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque.  He seemed to be calling upon all Moslems for religious war in Palestine and elsewhere.   If this is not hate speech (and a call to war), I am not sure what is!  Please help stop these calls of violence.  Israel and Palestine certainly have problems.  However, this call from Ammar is not an American expression of freedom, liberty, and peace.   

July 25, 2017 -- 1929 and the Historical Background to Present Temple Mount Crisis

Noah Feldman has brought to our attention that an incident surrounding the Jewish Temple in 1929 is an important background for understanding the present crisis on the Temple Mount.  Feldman follows Hillel Cohen who argued that 1929 was the beginning of the Arab-Israeli conflict.  In that year, Israelis and Palestinians were caught in a dispute, when a mehitza (wall separating men and women) was placed at the Western Wall during prayers for the Day of Atonement in 1929.  The Palestinians objected that the placing of the mehitza violated the “Status Quo.”  Eventually an Arab-Israeli conflict broke out in which nearly 250 died.  In 1929, the chief rabbi of Palestine Abraham Isaac Kook, spoke of the coming restoration of the temple.  He meant, of course, in the messianic age.   Orthodox Jewish authorities at that time taught that Jews were not to set foot on the Temple Mount. 

Since 1929, Israel has become a state (1948), and gained sovereignty over Jerusalem (1967).  Present day Orthodox Judaism has changed its consensus on the Temple Mount.  According to Feldman, “Many rabbis now hold that it is permissible for Jews to visit…portions of the Temple Mount,” and that a “growing number of Zionist Orthodox Jews now believe that it would be permissible to rebuild the temple and restore the sacrificial cult if it were practically possible.”

This background, it seems to me, helps in understanding with a certain degree the Palestinian sentiments of the crisis, and their point of view.  However, this does not justify violence, nor any calls to violence such as the case with the American Muslim Sheikh Ammar Shahin.

July 25, 2017 -- 77% of Israelis Disapprove Decision to Remove Metal Detectors

In a recent poll, 77% of Israelis disapproved of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to remove the metal detectors near entrances to the Temple Mount.  Muslims continue to protest and pray outside the mount in the street near the Lions Gate.  Israel still plans to use added security measures and smart cameras to detect weapons and explosives.  Palestinian authorities continue to call for a return to situations existing before the crisis.

The Gate of the Tribes after the removal of metal detectors (Photo: Reuters)

Prayers outside the Temple Mount continue Tuesday evening (Photo: Yael Friedson)

July 24, 2017 -- Israel Removes Detectors

Israel has decided to remove the metal detectors from entrances to the Temple Mount.  Other security measures will be installed instead. 

July 24, 2017 -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Response

The Islamic OIC will meet next week in Turkey to discuss Temple Mount Situation.

July 24, 207 -- USA Response: President Trump to Send Greenblatt and Kushner to Israel

President Trump  sends Jason Greenblatt to Israel on Monday; his first visit to the area was back in March 2017.  Jared Kushner has been leading the US efforts to calm the crisis, talking with the Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians. 

July 24, 2017 -- Jordan's Response to Recent Events: Remove Detectors and Restore Situation

Netanyahu and Jordan's King Abdullah, January 2014. CREDIT: Kobi Gideon / GPO

Jordan King Abdullah called upon Israel to dismantle the metal detectors, which he claims caused the present crisis thus “restoring the situation that existed before the crisis’ outbreak.”   

REFLECTIONS: Jordan is asking Israel to do something that they are not willing to do themselves.  Restoration!  The crisis seems to me to have begun a little earlier when the assassins used the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a den or hiding place to carry out their attacks.  That seems to be a problem that Jordan is not willing (and perhaps unable) to reverse—that is, the restoration of the Temple Mount to a more pure and peaceful state that existed before its profane use to carry out violent attacks, and the Israeli’s having to shoot the attackers on the mount.   But even if they could, at the heart of the Temple Mount is the mystery of the call for God’s house to be a house of prayer for all peoples/nations.  Moslems, however, argue that only they alone have the right to pray on the holy site. 

July 23, 2017 -- Updates from Turkey, Pope Francis, and Jordan

Jewish Synagogues in Turkey were attacked after Temple Mount conflicts. 

Pope Francis calls for peace and moderation following crisis in Jerusalem.

Israeli embassy in Jordan is to have been attacked on Sunday resulting with two men dead, and another seriously wounded.   This comes after thousands of Jordanians protested last Friday against Israeli instillation of metal detectors following a deadly attack that killed two Israeli-Druze police officers.   Jordan is the custodian of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

July 22, 2017 -- A time of peace on the Temple Mount without Waqf

Jane Kiel at the Kotel (Photo courtesy Jane Kiel)

Earlier I posted a video of Jeremy Gimpel who explained his experience on the Temple Mount on Wednesday July 19, 2017 as peaceful without the Waqf.  I came across a similar account given by Jane Kiel, a Christian from Demark who is now living in Israel.  Jane has visited the Temple Mount numerous times, but also escorted off.   She visited the mount last Tuesday, July 18, 2017, while Palestinians had boycotted the Temple Mount.  She described her experience that day without the Waqf authorities and without a number of Palestinians.  She commented, “It’s so quiet….There is no screaming, no hate! This is the way it’s supposed to be. Without all the hate and lies.”  Jane’s account was posted on Shehab News, which is a Gaza news source associated with Hamas and its Facebook Page.  In response, it is reported that she received numerous death threats.    

July 21, 2017 -- New Update: Three Israelis Killed in Bethlehem

News out of Bethlehem!  It is reported that three Israelis were killed and another seriously wounded after a Palestinian attacked an Israeli home in the West Bank.  In other news, President Mahmoud Abbas is to have said, “I, on behalf of the Palestinian leadership, announce… a freeze of all contacts with the occupation state on all levels until Israel commits to cancelling all the measures against our Palestinian people in general and Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque in particular.”   

July 21, 2017 - Update on Temple Mount

Israeli police continued their security measures of using metal detectors near the Temple Mount on Friday, July 21, 2017.  This was expected.  They also prevented Palestinians under the age of 50 to enter the city, in order to prevent violence.  Earlier the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem  Ikrima Sabri is reported to have said, “I am calling all Muslims to come to the Old City and pray outside. Al Aqsa mosque is ours and just for us.”

Ikrima Sabri also is reported elsewhere to have said, “I want to tell Israel and the world that if Israel wants peace they have to immediately remove the metal doors and other security obstacles they put in the last week….And that's to happen today and before the Friday prayer. Otherwise the situation will explode and all the possibilities are open. And don't say we didn't tell you."

Palestinians shout slogans as they protest outside Jerusalem's Old City July 21, 2017.
REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN

July 20 -- Reflection on Turkish President Erdgan and His Comments on Freedom of Religion

I came across an article that discusses the Turkish President Erdogan's comments on the current situation surrounding the Temple Mount.

It is interesting that he refers to “freedom of religion.”  He is to have said, “within the framework of freedom of religion and worship there can be no impediment for Muslims,” continuing, “given the importance that Haram al-Sharif carries for the whole Islamic world, the metal detectors put in place by Israel should be removed in the shortest possible time and an end put to the tension.” 

I realize that the above statements from Erdogan have a broader context within his thought.  However, there is also a much wider context for the so-called “framework of freedom of religion and worship” to have a fuller meaning.  Among the Hebrew and Jewish prophets there are sayings that God’s house is meant to be a house of prayer for all peoples/nations (Isa 56:7; Mk 11:17).  Granted, the First Jewish Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians and the Second Jewish Temple by the Romans in 70CE.  However, is it not disingenuous to speak with the language of “freedom of religion and worship” when what is implied in Erdogan’s statement is that 2/3 of the peoples of the world’s major religions are excluded from such freedom on the Temple Mount.  Besides, have not the terrorists last Friday turned the Al-Aqsa Mosque into a hideout for assassins? 

I would give Erdogan’s comments 3 out of 10.     

May the Lord have Mercy on us and upon the whole world!   

July 20, 2017 -- Israeli Video from Last Friday's Attack on the Temple Mount

The Israeli police released a video which they claim gives an account of the three terrorist (and a collaborator) sneaking weapons onto the Temple Mount before their attack last Friday, July 14, 2017.  The video demonstrates that the terrorists and the collaborator (with a backpack) go into the Al-Aqsa Mosque before the attacks.  It seems there is an exchange of the backpack.  The collaborator parts ways from the group and exits the mosque.  The three terrorists eventually leave the Al-Aqsa, later ditch the bag, and eventually carry out their attacks.