Update on the Temple Mount

 

In a recent resolution concerning Israel, the United Nations (UN)[i] referred to the Temple Mount simply as Haram al-Sharif.  In doing so, some see this as denying the Jewish identity and history with that location.  A majority of the UN panel approved the resolution on November 4, whose document was dated October 28, 2020, and which addressed “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people….” See the following link to the UN draft resolution.  The resolution was approved by 138 member states.  The following nine countries voted against the resolution.

·        Australia

·        Canada

·        Guatemala

·        Hungary

·        Israel

·        Marshall Islands

·        Micronesia

·        Nauru

·        The United States

Sixteen countries abstained from voting.  In comparison with last year, the total number of countries that supported dropped 19 votes. *

The section of the UN document in question is short.  It expresses grave concern at “the tensions and violence in the recent period throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and including with regard to the holy places of Jerusalem, including the Haram al-Sharif, and deploring the loss of innocent civilian life….”

According to Tovah Lazaroff, Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan called the text “a disgrace” and that “no resolution passed here will change the eternal connection between the Jewish people and the holiest site of our faith – Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount.”  Lazaroff also pointed out that a German representative of the European Union (EU) stated that the EU rejects the sole use of Haram al-Sharif to describe the Temple Mount and that the language used for the holy sites in Jerusalem needs to reflect the identity and history of the three monotheistic religions.

With the growing archaeological evidence for the presence of the Semitic/Hebrew/Jewish people in, on, and around the Temple Mount—that is, the first and second Jewish temples—it is time for the UN to affirm the existence of the Har HaBayit.    

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[i] The Special Political and Decolonization Committee on “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” 

Jerusalem Trip (Summer 2017) 

More on Joe Biden's View of Israel

 

Here is more information on some of Biden’s experiences and views on Israel taken from the JVL (Jewish Virtual Library) which is a project of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.  I must first admit that I did not vote for Joe Biden because of my conscience.  I need not explain why, but if you are interested please email or message me.  That being said, I share this information more out of scholarly interest and a willingness to share with others. 

BIDEN’S VIEW OF ISRAEL

·        Joe Biden first visited Israel as a senator on the eve of the 1973 Yom Kippur War where he met Golda Meir.  In 1982, Biden warned Prime Minister Menachem Begin not to expand settlements into the West Bank though Begin simply shrugged it off.  In 2012, Biden claimed to be a friend with Benjamin Netanyahu for more than 30 years.  Biden’s son Beau married a Jew and his daughter Ashley also married a Jew.  Biden has often expressed his affection for Israel.  He is a strong voice against anti-Semitism, and even willing to stand against the United Nations’ attempts to delegitimize Israel.  Although Biden spoke out against Israel’s policy that prevented American lawmakers from entering Israel (because they favored BDS), Biden himself condemned calls in the United States to enact BDS (boycott, divest, and sanction Israel).

BIDEN’S VIEW OF A TWO STATE SOLUTION

·        Biden supports a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestinian conflict.  He holds the view that Israel needs to stop annexation.  Yet he also argues that the Palestinian Authority needs to stop inciting and supporting terrorism and that Palestinians need to stop the hate, which includes teaching hate in their schools.  Although Biden opposes Israeli settlements in the West Bank, he would not withdraw Military support.  He appreciates the agreement and normalization between the UAE and Israel and is willing to build on this progress.

BIDEN’S VIEW OF IRAN

·        Biden says he is unwavering in his backing of Israel.  However, he wants to reestablish diplomacy with Iran to prevent them from achieving nuclear weapons.  He recognizes Iran’s destabilizing influence in the Middle East through proxy activities.  In other words, he acknowledges that Iran is a sponsor of terrorism.  Biden would push back against Iran’s destabilizing activity and work with Israel to protect Israeli national interest.  He supports returning to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) if Iran agrees to live up to its obligations.  Biden argues that Trump’s abandonment of the JCPOA increased Iran’s activity toward obtaining nuclear weapons.  He holds the view that Trump’s strong hand tactics with Iran have also forced the Iranian government to align itself with China and Russia.  

    

Biden and Harris claim to be friends of Israel

 

I was surprised to learn that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris both purport to be friends of Israel.   Biden holds the view that the American Embassy must remain in Jerusalem.  He is to have said, “I’ve been a proud supporter of a secure, democratic Jewish state of Israel my entire life,” and added, “My administration will urge both sides to take steps to keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive.”  Harris, whose husband is Jewish, has stated, “I stand with Israel both because of our shared values, which are so fundamental to the founding of both our nations and I believe the bonds between the people of the United States and the people of Israel are unbreakable….” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, and Rabbi Yehudah Glick acknowledged the elected US president and vice-president.  Glick prayed for Biden and Harris on the Temple Mount on Sunday.   

Tempus omnia revelat

The Catholic Church’s View on the State of Israel

 

A friend recently asked me about the Catholic Church’s view of Israel.  The response of the Catholic Church to the establishment of Israel in 1948 was rather slow, yet hopeful.  In 1993, the Catholic Church recognized the State of Israel and established diplomatic relations with Israel.  In 2003, Pope John Paul II argued that God’s covenant with Israel has never been revoked, thus echoing the words of Saint Paul (Rom 11:29).  In 2013, Pope Frances reiterated the sentiment that the covenant with Israel is irrevocable.  Gavin D’Costa, who is a Professor of Catholic Theology at the University of Bristol, argues that Catholics need to take the biblical promises to Israel seriously.  He is researching a “Minimal Catholic Zionism” where Jerusalem could be seen as the capital of Israel as part of God’s providence as long as it does not deny the rights of Palestinians.