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A "Bible Revelations" Presentation Created 1998, updated Feb. 17, 2007
The Spotlight has now moved to the Centre of the stage of Time and Prophecy
Ultimate Decoy of the Final Battle for Ownership of Jerusalem
INDEX TO REPORTS ON THIS PAGE
February 7, 2007
February 13, 2007 Mugrabi excavations may shed new light on Jerusalem's Jewish history
February 17, 2007 Digs, Lies and the Mugrabi Bridge
Other items on this Page
Temple Mount Wall could collapse on
Islamic worshippers shortly
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Latest News from Israel . . . . Islamic Arabs now calling for another Intifada. Confrontation at the Mughrabi Gate excavations - by Jerry Golden, Jerusalem
Once again
we are seeing the interference of
We
are seeing the same thing happen again, but this time I want to show you a
couple of pictures and explain what is being done so when you hear this on the
news you will know the truth and possible be able to tell otters.
For those of you who have been to the
You will notice in this picture that there is a temporary ramp that was built. The first reason was, that the old earth ramp was the only thing left after the excavation on both sides of the Western Wall many years ago in order to expose more of the Western Wall. This mount was left as a ramp to give entrance to the Mughrabi Gate. You will also notice that it has absolutely nothing to do with the Al-Aksa Mosque that you will be hearing so much about. You will also notice that the new ramp has a roof over the walk way, the reason for that roof was to protect tourists from getting hit in the head by Arab rock throwers. What caused the building of the wooden ramp, was the earth quake a couple of years ago that caused much of that ramp to collapse.
Explanation: Looking East - The Wailing Wall Prayer square. with the 2 ramps on its right, leading to the Temple Square. The temporary roofed Ramp in the right hand foreground (blue tinted) To the right of it, the old silver domed ramp on a mound of earth which covers the ancient ravine which also passes under the prayer square. The Al Aqsa Mosque is between the clumps of trees on the Temple Square. The Dome of the Rock, Muslim Temple on the Site of the ancient Jewish Temples is directly outside the left side of the photo, on the Temple Square, to the left of the Al Aksa Mosque. Refer to the photo at the top of this Page - which is taken from the opposite (Eastern side), looking West.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is at least
T he 2nd photo gives a closer look - where you can see the entrance to the Gate and the old mount of earth that must be removed. But removed in the
One thing the Moslems are frightened of is
Subscribe to the daily Golden Report Ruins discovered at Mughrabi site Yaniv Salama-Scheer, THE JERUSALEM POST www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1170359844298&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull As the controversy swirls around the construction of the new bridge leading to the Temple Mount at the Mughrabi Gate, archeologists have already uncovered finds from the medieval period and early Islamic era that shed new light on Jerusalem's history. "We have dug three meters down and discovered massive walls which we believe are from the early Islamic Umayyad period," Jerusalem's chief archeologist Yuval Baruch said. "Because of its proximity to the Wohl Archeological Park, I personally hope to find the rest of the Umayyad palaces." The archeological park currently has the only uncovered ruins of the Umayyad palaces which were destroyed in 749 CE by an earthquake. They were built in the eighth century as the seat for the Caliphate when visiting Jerusalem. The uncovered complex includes a harem for the caliph's wives, bathhouses, a kitchen, a dining area, and quarters for the caliph's family and servants. The palace also featured a bridge that allowed the caliphs direct access to the Aksa Mosque Among the findings at the site currently being excavated for the rebuilding of the bridge to the Mughrabi Gate, the archeologists have found pipes belonging to a medieval water system, but for Baruch, "the most interesting find is that we have found the evidence which suggests that right under the Umayyad ruins are Byzantine ruins [135-638], and under these, we believe there are Herodian roads and other ruins from the Second Temple period." (Ed. These are thee facts that the Palestinians try to smother). "The main excavations of the Umayyad and Byzantine ruins at the Mugrabi area will begin in a couple of days, and if we are patient enough, in five or six months time we could find Second Temple period ruins" to add to what has already been discovered in the adjacent archeological park, Baruch added. (Refer 'Digs, Lies and the Mugrabi Bridge - next article hereafter). "We have uncovered pieces of Jerusalem's history," Baruch said, "but we are unsatisfied with the amount of archeological results in Jerusalem. We need to continue with our work so we can find out more of the history of these buildings which gives us more information." Baruch also expressed concern that if the excavations stopped, the new ruins would be damaged if they are not immediately and properly salvaged. The findings at the excavation site could pose a problem for the initial project to reinforce the Mugrabi bridge. The original plan would have seen pillars placed under the bridge for support. Now, due to the findings, Baruch acknowledged that some re\planning might be necessary.
S enior Israeli Defense Officials report that Israel is very concerned that the area on the Temple Mount known as "Solomon's Stables" could collapse and bury thousands of Moslem worshipers expected to arrive at the Mount during the month of Ramadan (mid-Oct. 2004 onwards).Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has already instructed officials to take every measure in order to prevent such a disaster which the army says is virtually certain if the expected 100,000 worshipers come to Jerusalem. In three weeks, scores of worshipers are to arrive at the Temple Mount, with many opting for the area of "Solomon's Stables", an underground space on the east side of the Mount. Eight years ago, the Moslem Waqf turned the area into a mosque and concentrated the worshipers on two main plateaus, on the ground level and on the roof. The unsupervised digging carried out under the site, together with a heavy set of tiles constructed on its upper plateau, the effect of recent regional earthquakes and the 'wear and tear', have turned the area into a very dangerous spot as the levels and walls shifted, creating cracks in the supporting pillars. Unnamed senior officials have met privately with King Abdullah of Jordan to inform him of the seriousness of the danger and ask for his assistance in dissuading people from coming to the Mount. The Arab reaction was predictable. Spokesmen are claiming that this is just a ploy by Israel to keep Muslims from praying. However, given the collapse of two walls of the Temple Mount area in the past year and the bulge in the Southern Wall, the Arab protest is hardly valid. This fear has been constantly raised by Israeli authorities over the last two years but it the controlling Waqf (Arab body) showed no concern and offered no co-operation. Last year, the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement sent an open letter to Ariel Sharon. In which the chairman of the Movement, Gershon Salomon, stated that the reason for the bulge and the “danger” of the wall collapsing is the Hand of the G–d of Israel. Gershon wrote in the letter that the bulge and probable collapse is no accident but the commencement of a godly move for the collapse of all the strange, pagan Arab presence on the Temple Mount which is the most holy site of the Temple. This is a fulfilment of the prophecies of the prophets of Israel for the redemption of the Temple Mount, Israel and all the world. Gershon called on the Israeli authorities and the archaeologists not to interfere in G–d’s activities and to prevent any activity to repair the wall. The G–d of Israel is moving the end-time history of Israel and all the world towards the purification of His holy hill from the foreigners and their desecration and towards the rebuilding of the Temple. This is also the start of G–d’s judgement on these foreign enemies on the Temple Mount who have desecrated, vandalised and destroyed the remains of the First and Second Temples, built new mosques on the holy site of G–d and still continue their activities to convert the Temple Mount into an Islamic site by eliminating the remains of the Jewish Temples. They dared to lift their hands against the G–d of Israel and the people of Israel. They were deluded into thinking that they could deny and ignore the existence of the Temple on the Temple Mount and in this way prevent the godly historical end-time step of the redemption of the Temple Mount, Israel and all the world. The G–d of Israel showed them that no one can raise their hands and fight against Him. So many enemies of Israel who have occupied the Temple Mount and Jerusalem since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70CE have completely disappeared from the stage of history like dust in the wind under the judgement of G–d. This and even worse will be the fate of the current enemies of the G–d and people of Israel on the Temple Mount and all over the land of Israel. "It looks like a scenario that could ignite the entire region: Part of the Temple Mount collapses, hundreds of worshippers are killed, thousands more stream to the holy place in fury," the Maariv newspaper said Wednesday. January 21, 2002 Opposition against letting Jews on Temple Mount By Nina Gilbert and Tovah Lazaroff JERUSALEM - Reports that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to allow Jews on the Temple Mount for the first time since October 2000 on the advice of the Shin Bet, aroused widespread consternation among Israeli and Palestinian politicians, who warn the move would further escalate the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. "Sharon is liable to drown us all in a deluge of terror," said Meretz leader Yossi Sarid. "It will cause a blood bath", warned MK Abdel Malik Dehamshe (United Arab List), head of the Islamic Movement. "We all know what happened when Sharon (then the opposition leader) visited there," Dehamshe said. Sharon's visit in late September was followed by a series of riots that led to the breakdown of the seven-year Oslo peace process. But Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert said he supports returning Jews to the Temple Mount. He said he isn't familiar with any recent decision by the security services to allow such a move, but said that he knows they support it. "It's time that Jews will be given the same privilege as Muslims to visit the most sacred and important place in Jewish history," Olmert said. "It can be orchestrated in a peaceful way. We are not interested in antagonizing anyone. Arab MKs who claim entry of Jews onto the Temple Mount will cause violence do so as "provocateurs" of the Palestinian Authority and in "complete disloyalty to Israel," But speaking in a radio interview on the Voice of Palestine, Sheikh Ikrema Sabri, the mufti of Jerusalem, said the presence of Jews on the Temple Mount would certainly escalate violence at this time. Such violence would be Israel's fault, Sabri said. MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) said everyone has a right to visit the Temple Mount. However, he said that since the government gave control of the mount to the wakf (Islamic trusteeship), visitation there should be coordinated with it and not "imposed in a manner that will cause conflagration and bloodshed." The "Voice of Judea" pointed out that Jews were expected to endure discrimination in their own land, so as not to upset the Arabs. "If Israel truly wants to make the Arabs happy, then they need to take an immediate, collective jump into the sea, " the Judean Voice commented. "The new decision which would return the status of the Mount to the "second class Jew status" before the last intifada began, should not fool anyone. Jews will still be permitted to ascend the mount, only as individuals and they will be prohibitted from praying." BIBLE REVELATIONS COMMENT - What we have here, and seemingly unnoticed, is that the Jews are gradually loosing more and more of their restricted rights and movement in the City which the Bible awarded them as their Inheritance. Now the Arabs, supported by the noisy Israeli left, is even opposing the limited rights that the Jews enjoyed up to Oct. 2000, the start of Arafat's War to procure Jerusalem for the Palestinians who has never had a capitol in history before! The restoration of these limited rights will then be enough reason to arouse the Palestinians in their 'legitimate struggle', to further 'justified' murders of the 'occupying Israeli Zionists' . A Flare of Sudden Renewed Jewish Interest in the Temple Mount As the Jewish commemoration of Tisha B'Av approaches, this year (29 July 2001), sudden flares of interest are shooting up all over. For the last 2 years, reports of flagrant desecration of the Temple Mount by the Palestinians, have been shunned by the Israeli government and authorities (ref. reports elsewhere on this Page). On 17 July 2001 the Knesset's Education and Culture Committee heard and examined evidence by the commander of police in Jerusalem's Old City about a large electric saw which is hacking away at stones every day on the Temple Mount. Photographs of the four-meter wide, one meter high power tool, with sawed-off stones lying next to it, were shown to the committee. Also submitted were photographs taken from a helicopter rented by members of the Committee to Prevent the Destruction of Temple Mount Antiquities, showing a bulldozer on the Mount on July 4th. At one point in the meeting, the Department of Antiquities director walked out in protest against the submission of evidence. 19 July 2001 - The Rabbinical Council of Judea, Samaria and Gaza called on all rabbis to bring their communities to visit the Temple Mount - "in accordance with halacha (religious law)" - and it urged the Israel public to do the same. This is the first time a group of rabbis representing a substantial segment of the religious Zionist public, has ruled it is permissible for Jews to ascend the Temple Mount, as long as certain areas are avoided. Most leading Torah sages have ruled that Jews are not allowed on the mount at all, lest they accidentally tread on the sites to which they would have been forbidden entry when the Temple was standing. The Rabbis, who met in Jerusalem, plan to ask the Yesha Council of Jewish settlements to organize mass trips to the mount from the settlements. They concluded their meeting by "calling on all the rabbis of Israel to put their shoulders into saving the honor of the Temple Mount, which is closed to Jews [since the outbreak of the Intifada in Oct 2000], and to participate in demonstrations and marches that will take place on Tisha b'Av. Rabbis who disagree with the council's new ruling, were urged to show respect for it nevertheless, arguing that Jewish apathy toward the Temple Mount is one cause of the difficulties Israel is currently experiencing. Rabbi Yitzhak Shilat added that since religious law does permit Jews to visit certain areas of the mount, "our right, obligation and ability to pray on the mount is many times greater than that of the Muslims, and we need to say this openly." This is a surprising change in Rabbinic attitude towards the holiest Site in Judaism. An essay by Rabbi Levi Zipperstein which was circulated on the Internet at this time also, pointed out that "the vast majority of Rabbis of this generation, have prohibited the Jewish people from entering the Temple Mount." His discourse examined the rights and obligations of Jews to visit the Mount within certain parameters. "The impression that world Jewry now maintains concerning the issue of entering and maintaining control over the Temple Mount, is a false one", he writes. In support of this statement, he quotes various Rabbinic leaders of the past on the rights and obligations of Jews to enter there. "Perhaps the most important aspect of the Temple Mount issue, deals with the concept of 'conquest'. that is to say, gaining and maintaining control over the Temple Mount", he concludes. He emphasises the Torah directives to conquer and settle the Land, removing foreign ownership especially of the Temple Mount. "After 2000 years of prayers, asking that G-d return us to Zion and speedily rebuild the Temple, what excuse could there be for preferring the Wall of Tears over the House of G-d?" "Remaining in a state of atrophy, will not only allow the status quo to continue, it will cause needless and unimaginable suffering to the Jewish people. Just as we witnessed the destruction of six million Jews because of inaction concerning the return to Zion, so will we endure terrible tragedy should we opt for the same inaction concerning the Temple Mount", he concludes. "If the Mount is redeemed, and the Temple replaces the desecrations that now stand in its place, then the Jewish obligation to the G-d of Israel is attained." On July 19th 2001, the “Temple Mount Preservation Act of 2001" was introduced at a press conference in Washington D.C. in the USA. The bill calls for the cutoff of all funding to the Palestinian Authority because of their desecration of the Temple Mount and sends a clear message to Yasir Arafat that it will no longer be tolerated. The bill specifically asks that all assistance [US dollars] provided to the Palestinian Authority, or its instrumentalities be halted unless the President certifies that no excavation of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is under way. Enclosed within the bill is a detailed description of illegal activities by the Palestinian Authority after their subversion of the WAQF (Islamic Religious Trust), the Islamic group responsible for the daily oversight of the Mount. Additionally, the bill details illegal construction and destruction of theTemple Mount It also expresses its concern over Yasir Arafat’s and the Palestinian Authority’s actions as an attempt to destroy all historical evidence of Jewish presence on Temple Mount thereby discrediting Israel’s claim to sovereignty over the Mount. It is the conviction of the publishers of BIBLE REVELATIONS, that when the Jews return to the Temple Mount and insist on their God-given Rights to the Land, thereby reinstating its Sacredness to the God of Israel, the Blessings on Israel will return, the current devastating drought will be broken, the hold of the Palestinian usurpers will be smashed and security and freedom within the Borders of the Promised Land, will return to its Jewish inhabitants - the Divinely mandated heirs thereto. Back to Prophetic News Index
Arafat's March on Jerusalem! After the conclusion of the Arab leaders' Summit in Cairo on the last Festive Day of the Jewish Feasts of the 7th month (21 Oct. 2000), Arafat vowed to continue the Intifada against Israel with the "Palestinian March to Jerusalem" - and if Barak did not like this, "He can go to hell!". The War of Attrition that ignited at the start of the Jewish Festive Season between Israel and the Palestinians, this time reached the outskirts of Israeli cities. By the end of the Festive season, it reached Gilo, a suburb of Jerusalem, a few kilometers from the Holy Mount. Truly, the Battle for Jerusalem has now taken war-format. Whether neighboring Arab countries will come to the assistance of the Palestinians, will determine the further development of this Battle for Jerusalem - into Armageddon? It could take yet some time for the forces of 'Gog and Magog' to consolidate for the Final onslaught on Jerusalem
start the War of Armageddon? YES! Absurd as it may seem to those who are well versed in the Scriptures. On Thur. 28 September 2000, two days before the Jewish New Year which inaugurated a series of Sacred Biblical Feasts of the 7th month of the Sacred Calendar (Feasts which all prefigure the Time of the Final Judgment), Israel's Minister Ariel Sharon and a group of Jewish 'rightist' government officials visited the Site of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This antagonised not only the Palestinians, who's Sacred 'Dome of the Rock' stands on the same Site where, in Biblical Times, two successive Jewish Temples stood, but also several western nations and the Left Wing in Israel, which controls the Media and Television in Israel. This visit, sparked the current escalating disturbances in Israel which, for the first time, involved all of Israel and not only the 'hot spots' in Gaza and Hebron. Main roads were cut off by the Israeli Army and Arab cities sealed off in order to prevent the further spreading of unrest to Israeli areas and for the protection of road users who were stoned and shot at by Palestinian rioters. When Israel brought in helicopters, the Western media spewed out accusations against Israel for its overpowering might against the stone throwing Palestinians. TV commentators seemed ignorant of the fact that stoning was the ancient method of execution, and ignored the fact that Palestinians (yes, even police officers), were using guns (originally issued to them by Israel as part of the 'Peace Agreement') against Israeli civilian road users. Two Israeli civilians were mowed off by gun swinging Palestinians while shopping, another while changing a tyre on his car along side the road, a Rabbi for daring to take a short cut through a Palestinian area. In the estimation of the media, swung by the loud outcries and threats of the Palestinian authorities and commentators, only the Israelis were guilty, and this was stated loud and clear around the world. How could 12-year old Palestinian children be shot? - and they had powerful video evidence. Not one of the Israeli commentators who were aggressively posed the same question over and over by international TV commentators, drew the viewers attention to the long footage TV News evidence of stone throwing children in the Palestinian rioting crowds, Palestinian authorities are well aware of the propaganda power inherent in such incidents involving children, to gain international support. According to Israeli sources, these authorities financially reimburse families in case of injury or death of 'children in action'. Not one of the agrressively accusing TV commentators, using snide remarks in judgment of Israel's and Sharon's actions, seemed to be acquainted with the overwhelming Biblical evidence of the role which this very same Temple Mount played in Jewish history, going back 3 000 years. They all side with the Palestinians and their totally unfounded propaganda, claiming that Jews have no rights to the Sacred Mount, neither any historic links to it. This is tantamount to a total rejection of the Bible which contains Oath upon Oath of the Divine Intention of Israeli and Jewish Guardianship of this Sacred Mount! Western Media has labeled Sharon's visit to this Jewish center of 'Guardianship' as 'extreme provocative action!' Yes, Jewish leaders 'dared to visit' their own historic religious sites, over which they have sovereignty at this time! This was enough reason for the Palestinians to turn Israel into chaos - for according to their claims (unfounded in the Bible), Jerusalem's Temple Mount and Holy Sites belong to them. At least, Sharon has proven by his visit, that Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount (supposed to be an Israeli right) does not exist in the estimation of the Palestinians, nor of the world media, neither any of the nations of the world. That makes the Palestinian demand for sovereignty over the Holy places, "so as to ensure religious freedom", a total hoax - as is proven by the discrimination against Jews and Christians in Arab lands. What has become clear from the current developments in Israel regarding the Palestinian claims on the Temple Mount, is that Palestinian sovereignty over ancient Jerusalem, if granted, has no place for a Jewish presence of any kind on this Biblically Jewish, and ancient Jewish Most Holy Site. Secondly, and deservedly so, the Jewish attitude towards and the lack of their physical presence on the Mount, earned them the arrogant denial of ownership by the Palestinians. Since the 1967 Six Day War, when Moshe Dayan conquered the Mount, but, 'for the sake of peace', granted the Arabs temporal jurisdiction over this Most Sacred Jewish Site, Jews avoided visiting their ancient Holy Site. Rabbinic leadership has also dissapproved of Jews visiting the Site, being such Sacred Territory. The world now has no interest in any Jewish claims and support the Palestinians in the protection of the sacredness of their third only most holiest Muslim site in the world. The Arab Mosques adorning the Site, were built 6 centuries after the Jewish Temple, in which even the 'Christian' Messiah worshipped and preached (as a practising Jew to Jews) 2000 years ago! It was built on the very ruins of the ancient Jewish Temple, to which history testifies of its destruction by the Romans in the year 70, C.E. The Mount on which the Islamic Golden domed Bayt al Maqdas Temple today stands, holds the ricchest archeological proof of the two Jewish Temples that adorned this Site, centuries before - which is the very reason why the Palestinians so frantically build and destroy the archeological evidence today! BIBLE REVELATIONS' interpretation of Biblical Prophecy has been stated all along, that the Temple Mount will be the ultimate spark to ignite the Armageddon nuclear holocaust, to end this Dispensation of worldly kingdoms and to inaugerate the Kingdom of God on earth. The question which arised after the Palestinian uprising in response to Sharon's visit to the Mount, was: "How could this stone throwing uprisal ever develop into Armageddon?" The answer took shape by the 7th day of the uprising, when neighbouring Arab countries Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Iran, expressed their support and concern for the Palestinians. Commentators in the Western News and TV media started discussing the serious escalation and the probability of what has always been referred to as the 'unthinkable' - a war of grave implications in the Middle East. Once other nations get involved, the rest will depend on where the final line will be drawn - this side of Armageddon or not. The stage is set - Jerusalem has become "an intoxicating cup to the surrounding nations" (Zech. 12:2,3).
27 June 2000 The Approaching Battle for Jerusalem and the War of Gog and Magog Copy of a Newsletter published by The Temple Mount
Faithful As we have previously stated in this news-letter, Israel is now living in the most critical time in her history. On the one hand Israel is in the midst of her godly end-time redemption while on the other hand she is in the midst of the political and violent attacks of he Arab enemies in the Middle East together with their backing of many Islamic nations as well as their supporters all over the world led by the UN and the President of the United States, Bill Clinton. Using the false and evil Oslo so-called “Peace” agreements, they cut off piece after piece from the body of the land of Israel and give them to the foreign “Palestinian Authority” which grows like a cancer in the midst of the body of the Holy Land of Israel. These agreements were signed by the weak and secular government of Israel under the pressure of the above powers. Now these powers are putting pressure on Israel to give away more parts of the land and the main pressure is now on Jerusalem, the capital of the G–d and people of Israel. The former terrorist and murderer, Yasser Arafat, has stated that there will never be peace and that he will renew the Intifada, the battle against Israel, unless Israel agrees to give him Jerusalem as the capital of a “Palestinian” state and give up her sovereignty over Jerusalem. More than this, he is demanding all the area of Judea, Samaria and Gaza to be immediately given to him and that he will declare a “Palestinian” state in those areas with Jerusalem as its capital which he knows that the UN and all the nations will recognise. The agents of Arafat on the Temple Mount are now in the midst of an intensive, violent campaign to destroy and remove all the remains of the First and Second Temples and to change the identity of the Temple Mount into an Islamic site. They realise that, whether they want it or not, the Third Temple is going to be built on the Temple Mount as a major event in G–d’s end-time prophetic plans. By this barbaric violence against the G–d and people of Israel they try to prevent this even through such a terrible revolt and violence against G–d and His holy house. In a speech which Arafat gave in Ramallah (the Biblical city of the Hill of G–d, Givat Elohim, and was a Jewish city settled by Jews but occupied by the Arabs in 630 CE) he stated that he is ready for a war and that he is not afraid of the Israeli tanks and aircraft. The same threats of war are coming closer and closer to Israel from the north from the Hisb’allah terrorist organisation in Lebanon which has stated that their battle will not stop until they have occupied Jerusalem. The same spirit of war is coming form Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt, all these enemies of Israel who are preparing their weapons including nuclear, biological and chemical warheads and who are preparing their forces to destroy Israel. The UN and the European Union have stated on more than one occasion and made resolutions that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel but occupied territory and that Israel should withdraw from Judea, Samaria, Gaza and the Golan Heights. All of this brings Israelis to the conclusion that the time
is very critical and that the prophecies of the prophet Ezekiel about the War of
Gog and Magog against Israel and Zechariah’s and other prophets’ prophecies
about the war of all the nations against the land of Israel and Jerusalem are
soon to be fulfilled. Never since the foundation of the State of Israel in 1948
has Israel felt that the black clouds of this terrible war were so close to
Jerusalem. This war will not be a simple war and Israel will pay a high price
because of the sinful weakness over her leadership. Zechariah states that
half of the population of Jerusalem will go into exile. However, the Israelis,
after great disappointment in the behaviour of their leadership, are coming
closer to the G–d of Israel and understanding that they can only trust in their
One Father, the G–d of Israel, Who saved has repeatedly saved them over the last
4000 years and Who will save them again now from all those powers and
nations who will attack them and that He will severely judge all their enemies
as He promised in His Word. “Son of man, set your face against Gog, the land of
Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say,
Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the chief prince of
Meshech and Tubal; ... After many days you shall be called upon; in the latter
years you shall come against the land that is brought back from the sword, and
is gathered from many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been
always waste; but it is brought out from the nations, and they shall dwell
safely all of them. You shall ascend and come like a storm, you shall be like a
cloud to cover the land, you, and all your bands, and many people with you. ...
And you shall come up against my people of Israel, like a cloud to cover the
land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring you against my land, that
the nations may know me, when I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their
eyes. ... And it shall come to pass on that day, when Gog shall come against the
land of Israel, says the Lord God, that my fury shall be roused. For in my
jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there
shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; ... And I will contend with him
by pestilence and by blood; and I will rain down upon him, and upon his bands,
and upon the many people that are with him, a torrential rain, and great
hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify
myself; and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall
know that I am the Lord. ... You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you,
and all your bands, and the peoples that are with you; I will give you to the
ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. ...
And I will send a fire on Magog, and among those who dwell securely in the
islands; and they shall know that I am the Lord. And I will make my holy name
known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them profane my holy
name any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in
Israel.” (Ezekiel 38:2,3,8,9,16,18,19,22,23; 39:4,6,7) The prophet Zechariah states that the weapons (the nuclear, chemical and biological weapons) used against Israel will backfire and will hurt the enemies of Israel and not Israel: “And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass on that day, that a great panic from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold everyone on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.” (Zechariah 14:12,13) We know that the coming time will not be an easy time in Israel. This will be the climax of all the end-time troubles which Israel through which Israel is now passing. Israel must trust in G–d and be strong and, together with the G–d of Israel, we will overcome these terrible events. The G–d of Israel is determined to accomplish the redemption of Israel and all the universe and nothing can or will prevent Him. The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement and all the others in Israel who are with the G–d of Israel and who are in His army to serve and fight with all their devotion and dedication for Him and His end-time plans are ready to face these events and their challenges as they have been up to this time. We do not fear the enemies of the G–d and people of Israel but only G–d and we trust and love Him and we shall continue to serve Him and His prophetic plans with all the strength which He gave us. We warn all the enemies of Israel and their allies all over the world that G–d will severely judge and punish them because of their violence and there battles to destroy Israel. To all the wonderful friends of Israel all over the world who decided to be with the G–d and people of Israel at this great and critical time we send our sincerest thanks and love and the deep appreciation of the G–d and people of Israel. Exactly as the prophets prophesied, you will be redeemed together with the people of Israel whom you love and support with such devotion. It is so good to know that, together with the G–d of Israel, we have righteous friends and brothers and sisters like you who have placed themselves together with Israel at a time when it is so needed. You are an important sign, example and a great hope for this prophetic, godly time in which we are now living. Continue to be strong with the G–d and people of Israel and the G–d of Israel and the Universe will continue to bless you richly. The Temple Mount Faithful Back to Main Page of BIBLE REVELATIONS Back to "Jerusalem Countdown" News Page
The Destruction of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem
Visit this Site for important information
Reports about Palestinian construction of new Mosques on the Temple Mount have been constantly surfacing over the last few months. Truckloads of soil have been removed without any regard whatsoever for any archeological relic treasures in this richest of archeological sites in the world.
The Israeli government, Israel's official archeology authorities and the media have smothered or played down this flagrant disregard of the Palestinians for the tons of Biblical evidence that lie buried in this, to the Creator God, the Most Holiest Site in all the world. This is the Place where 2 Jewish Temples were built to His Glory and according to His Divine Directives. This is the exact Place where the New Jerusalem, Center of His Coming World Kingdom Rule, will be erected, after the kingdoms of the nations will have disintegrated in Chaos at the time of the War of Armageddon ('Gog & Magog', according to Scriptural Prophecy). The reports of this destruction, mainly by religious 'rightist' Jews, 'guardians of the Walls of Jerusalem', have been disputed by the leftist secular authorities and these witnesses were labeled a 'risk to State Security'. Contra reports were made of 'exaggeration' by these witnesses and the public was assured that there was no such damage being done. In the mean time, investigations by the press and media were officially barred and authorities were withheld from doing proper investigation. The matter has now however become a main topic in Israel and true evidence points to exactly such desecration and destruction. It is eerily strange and unbelievable why Mr. Barak, the previous Prime Minister of Israel, seemed to have willfully supported this destruction by allowing it to continue without official interjection. The present government under Mr Ariel Sharon is doing no better. Following are reports that you may not easily find in the normal news media which are adding their support to the destruction by covering it up. It is not hard to envisage the condemnation if Israel were to have been guilty of such disregard in conduct. Is it simply because these ruling authorities and the media have no longer any place whatsoever for anything to do with a Biblical tie-up - and their endeavouring to route out the last symptoms of these 'misguided tendencies' in modern mankind? 22 June 2000 Eyewitness Report by THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE, Jerusalem For eight months, we have reported on the Moslem Waqf’s illegal excavations in the southern part of the Temple Mount. It has been established that these unsupervised excavations have facilitated the deliberate and calculated destruction of archaeological remnants from the Holy Temple. Now, the desecration and destruction has moved into a new phase. Recently, new reports have begun to circulate that the Wakf has renewed its illegal construction activities on the Temple Mount. A number of articles on the subject have appeared in the Israeli press over the past few days. In one of these articles, appearing in the Hebrew daily Ha’aretz, correspondent Nadav Shragai wrote: “The Islamic Movement in Israel has a master plan to build a forth mosque on the eastern side of the Temple Mount, according to a detailed report prepared by security officials.” We were recently able to ascend to the Temple Mount to view this construction activity firsthand. What we saw there was so staggering that it is difficult to convey the images in words. Under the open skies, and with no pretenses, the entire eastern section of the Mount has been turned into a busy construction site. Activity is taking place at a fever pitch. Not one inch of the eastern section of the mount remains untouched. Haphazard heaps of archeological remnants of major significance, freshly unearthed, are strewn about everywhere. Next to these sit large consignments of newly hewn masonry stones, still wrapped in neat plastic packaging, just delivered to the site. A structure near the Golden Gate is already at an advanced stage of construction. Tractors are at work and other heavy machinery can be heard; there is activity of paving and other aspects of ground preparation, digging, masonry and more. It should be noted that this construction is taking place in areas that are clearly within the boundaries wherein chambers of the Holy Temple stood. Thus the actual site of the Holy Temple is now being turned into a Moslem site, all over again. In the southern end of the Mount, new ornamental skylights have been fixed over the area of the new underground mosque now in use. Many other permanent changes in the area can also be plainly seen. The plans of the Waqf and the Islamic movement also include a number of other changes. However these plans have not been published and are not publicly acknowledged. A petition has been made to the Jerusalem District Court by Yehuda Etzion of the Chai V’kayam movement, demanding that the Waqf reveal their plans for the site based on the Freedom of Information Act. However the state has refused to divulge this information on the grounds that it is “secret,” and the court has yet to hear this petition. Similarly, several months ago the commander for the Jerusalem District of the Israel Police revealed to the Knesset Education Committee that the Waqf has six plans for the Temple Mount – but he refused to elaborate, citing state security. Meanwhile, the Israel Antiquities Authority as well as the Committee for Prevention of the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, have called upon both the Attorney General and the Prime Minister to personally intervene and put a stop to the illegal activity. What we were able to see on our own visit substantiated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what we have always known: Motta Gur’s immortal declaration “The Temple Mount is in Our Hands,” uttered in June 1967, is a fantasy that has no basis in reality. It is an unhealthy dream from which the people of Israel must wake up. It has been completely shattered; even the most skillful ostrich can no longer delude himself. Israel exercises no sovereignty whatsoever on the Temple Mount. On the very day of our own visit, a group of Knesset Members on a fact-finding mission to the Mount were prevented by the Israel Police from carrying out their task – and the police, in turn, while entrusted with carrying out the law of the State of Israel, were simply manipulated by the Waqf, the real power and control on the Temple Mount. Thus the Knesset members, who are the lawmakers of our nation and who are entitled to Parliamentary immunity and extra-legal status, were prevented from photographing the illegal construction; they were prevented from moving about freely on the Mount, and were not able to enter the underground structures. The group’s guide, archeology student Zachi Zweig (www.miac.com/bait), was physically attacked and threatened by the commander of the police. However, the worst is yet to come. The Committee for the Prevention of the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount has pointed out that if the Waqf implements all its plans, the face of the Mount will be completely altered, aside from the damage that will be caused to the antiquities at the site. All the deliberate destruction of archeological remains, and the dumping and trashing of hundred of tons of precious Temple remnants that we have focused upon until now, is ancient history – for the Waqf has now moved on from the destruction of Temple remains, to the complete and permanent alteration of the Temple site. The matter is clear. The Waqf saw that they were able to destroy archeological remains that are precious to the people of Israel with impunity. They were not stopped. Now they are confident that in the face of Israel’s weakness, they can truly do anything. Thus they are rapidly attempting to change the physical reality of the Mount, in a permanent fashion. By creating new facts on the ground, the Waqf is successfully de-Judaizing Jerusalem, and wresting the city from the people of Israel. We call upon all people, wherever you may be, to appeal to the Prime Minister of Israel to exercise Israeli law on the Temple Mount and put an end to this destruction. He has the power to change Israel’s power concerning the Mount. We also call upon you to communicate with your elected representatives, and ask them to condemn the outrageous actions of the Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority, who receive funding and use those funds to destroy precious archeological artifacts. Building a new mosque over the area of Israel’s ancient Temple is a contemptible sacrilegious act which reveals the true intentions of the Palestinians towards Israel – as reflected in the official Palestinian Charter, which remains unchanged and still calls for the annihilation of Israel. Israel has zealously protected the shrines of other religions, including Moslem sites. Yet Islam is destroying the holiest shrine of Judaism, and the Government of Israel, whose only interest is the quick implementation of the American “peace process,” is impotent. The continued destruction at the site of the Holy Temple will result in an irreparable loss for the entire world. We urge you to act immediately. Rabbi Chaim Richman (More reports further down) Sign a Petition against the unopposed Destruction of the Temple Mount by clicking here Vote against the Dismantling of Jewish Israel June 29, 2000 Associated Press reported today: JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Minister Ehud Barak gave Palestinian religious authorities the go-ahead Wednesday to keep expanding prayer space on the Temple Mount, prompting protests from politicians and archaeologists. Also Wednesday, Palestinians clashed with a small group of hard-line Jews protesting digging on the mount. Police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said five Palestinians were detained. The Wakf - the Islamic religious council that administers the Temple Mount, which is holy to Jews and Muslims - recently launched the work at the site, saying it can barely accommodate the thousands who arrive for Friday prayers. Work may continue at the site known as the Temple Mount to Jews and Christians and the Haram as-Sharif to Muslims, Barak's office said in a statement. The statement said measures are in place for ``maintaining the status quo and not damaging archeological artifacts.'' The Temple Mount, site of the First and Second Jewish temples, abuts the Western Wall - the only remainder of the Roman sacking of the Second Temple in 70 A.D., and Judaism's holiest site. Two mosques in a 13th century Muslim sanctuary atop the Temple Mount make it the third holiest site in Islam. The site has remained under Muslim control even after Israel captured the walled Old City in the 1967 Mideast War. Barak's decision prompted outrage from politicians and archaeologists, who say the expansion is destroying rare Jewish and Islamic relics at the site. ``Barak gave a green light to an explosive situation,'' said Eilat Mazar, an archeology professor at Hebrew University. When news of the construction work first emerged earlier this year, archeologists identified rare and ancient shards in a dump outside Jerusalem where workers left debris. Wakf officials have said that Israeli protests are a political attempt to undermine the Muslim claim to the site. Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, a leader of the hard-line opposition Likud party, said he was concerned that important historical artifacts could be lost forever. Olmert said the Wakf was promoting a political agenda to wipe Jewish traces from the area so that Israel can no longer claim it has ties. He described Barak's decision as a ``big mistake.'' (Ed. 2006 - Today, Olmert is PM and leader of the leftist party Kadima, and follows exactly the weak-kneed policy of Barak and other leftist leaders.) Danny Yatom, a senior Barak adviser, said the presence of archaeologists would guarantee the preservation of antiquities. ``The decision is excellent,'' Yatom said. Tensions over the rival religious
claims sparked bloody riots in 1929 and 1990. Photo and more of The Temple Mount Archeological Destruction Jerusalem Post:- 13 July 2001
(July 13) - Under the premiership of Ehud Barak, (current Internal Security Minister Uzi) Landau was one of the loudest voices protesting against the government's disregard for the wanton and unsupervised destruction of antiquities on the Temple Mount by the Wakf, which was engaged in seemingly endless construction projects there. It is particularly disturbing to see his 180-degree turnabout on the issue of protecting antiquities on the Temple Mount. Landau probably did not imagine that within months he would be the minister of internal security, and therefore would have a pivotal role in ensuring that such destruction did not continue. The fact that Landau's role is so pivotal is one of the problems he was meant to solve. Since last September, the Israel Police and the Wakf have together blocked all non-Muslims from entering the Temple Mount. This prohibition includes archeologists from the Antiquities Authority and all journalists - except those hand-picked by the Wakf. The police, therefore, are the only thin reed by which the outside world knows anything about whatever construction is taking place on the Mount. This week, the Committee to Prevent the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, a non-partisan group of archeologists, authors, and public figures, released photographs of heavy equipment working in this sensitive area, and a large saw used to cut massive ancient stones for reuse in construction projects. The committee has repeatedly charged that the police have misinformed the public and its minister as to the extent of the work going on, and has demanded that the area be open to the press and subject to archeological supervision. The committee further claims that, contrary to an assurance by Landau this week in the Knesset, the saw is still being used, large amounts of construction materials have been brought in, and hundreds of volunteers from the Islamic movement have been working on construction projects on the Mount. Today, for only the second time since the formation of the (new) government, and only after significant attention by the press and the Knesset, Landau will be meeting with the committee to review the evidence it has collected. So far, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the heads of the Antiquities Authority, the police, and Education Minister Limor Livnat (who has jurisdiction over the Antiquities Authority) have all refused to meet with the committee. The behavior of the government in this instance is as inexplicable as it is inexcusable. Sharon, Landau, and Livnat were all at the forefront of demanding that the Barak government not allow one of the most sensitive archeological sites in the world - certainly to the Jewish people - to be exempt from the supervision to which almost any road or construction project is routinely subjected, as required by law. The police are not in position, nor do they have the expertise, to do this themselves. Furthermore, the police have, by consistently minimizing what the Wakf has done, demonstrated that they have a clear conflict of interests - it is simplest for them to let the Wakf go about its business. It is absurd, even pathetic, that Israel and the world must rely upon smuggled and aerial photographs to get some sense of what is happening in the heart of Jerusalem, at a site of unmatched historical and religious significance to the Jewish people. The first, most urgent way to shed some light on the situation is to lift the ban on press access to the Temple Mount. Perhaps security considerations can justify preventing tourists and the non-Muslim public from visiting the Temple Mount, though this, too, should not be considered a normal and acceptable situation. But even if such a general prohibition makes sense, it cannot justify the imposition of a journalistic blackout on the area. In other areas, such as parts of the Gaza Strip, that have been closed to Israelis for security reasons, an exception has been made for journalists. The introduction of journalists into the Temple Mount should
not be
considered a sufficient form of supervision of the area. The
committee
correctly demands that all construction and destruction on the
Temple Mount The Temple Mount has a rich history stretching over thousands
of years, and
bears the imprint of Jewish, Islamic, and Christian
civilizations. If any other country had entrusted the Temple Mount to Islamic
authorities - which deny any non-Muslim connection to the area and have a record
of destroying non-Muslim artifacts in keeping with their extremist ideology -
Israel and the Jewish people would be up in arms. If, in addition, this other
country had prevented a modicum of supervision by archeologists and the press,
Israel would be screaming bloody murder. Photo and more of
The Temple Mount Archeological Destruction WITH THE TEMPLE MOUNT NOW ON THE TABLE, EVEN ISRAELI LEFTISTS SEE NO HOPE FOR PEACE. With Jerusalem and the Temple Mount now "on the table" in the Peace negotiations, it is interesting to hear the views of a leftist leader, who has in the past been instrumental to get the Peace Talks and the gradual surrender of Israel territory to the Palestinians, going. Mr Peres is highly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Barak's handling of the Camp David negotiations and sees very little hope of permanent Peace. The Israeli daily, Ha'aretz reports as follows on 24 Aug. 2000: "In private conversations Shimon Peres fears deeply for the fate of the peace process with the Palestinians, and is scathingly critical of Barak. "The Camp David focus on the issue of sovereignty over the Temple Mount was a recipe for an impasse, Peres believes. Compromises are possible in politics, he says, but logic stops where matters of religion begin. Now, with the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount on the table, it will be far more difficult, perhaps impossible, to reach a partial agreement, or to defer the resolution of the Jerusalem question. "Substantively, Peres believes the Palestinians should not be given sovereignty over the Temple Mount. Barak was also wrong to agree to debating the division of the Old City between Israelis and Palestinians, as suggested by President Bill Clinton. August 2000 BUILDING OF A SYNAGOGUE ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT NOW CONSIDERED Israel's High Rabbinate considered a proposal to build a synagogue on the Temple Mount. Debate over the proposal is believed to have been shelved due to behind-the-scenes pressure from the Israeli government, who is mindful of the likelihood of angry reactions by Palestinian Muslims. Protesting Arab newspapers expressed Arab fears that "the Israeli government seems to begin reconsidering its policy on that matter. A manifestation of that change of policy.occurred at Camp David when Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak reportedly proposed ... that in the context of a final settlement for the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel should control the area "underneath" the two mosques on the Temple Mount." "This is a criminal proposal -- a direct invitation to war," said Jerusalem's mufti, Ikrema Sabri {Arafat's appointee) in reaction to the proposal, adding that "these criminal intentions could set the entire region on fire because Muslims are not going to sit idle while their holy places are taken away from them." Hamas, founder and leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, warned that "the destruction of Al-Aqsa mosque would be followed by the destruction of Israel. ..." What really was said at Camp David over Jerusalem's Holy Places Source: Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) The Jerusalem issue was at the core of the Camp David Summit negotiations. The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as a part of the occupied territories falling under UN Security Council Resolution 242, and therefore demand full Israeli withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 lines. For Israel, East Jerusalem is an indivisible part of its territory after being annexed by Israel in 1967. However, it is the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem that place the question of Jerusalem in the center of the negotiations. On July 23, the United States submitted a proposal - based on an Israeli proposal - to grant the Palestinians full sovereignty in the Muslim and Christian quarters [including Christian holy sites] while leaving the Jewish and Armenian quarters under Israeli sovereignty. In response to this proposal, Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Yasser Arafat told US President Clinton, "I will not agree to any Israeli sovereign presence in Jerusalem, neither in the Armenian quarter, nor in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, neither on the Via Dolarosa, nor in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. They can occupy us by force, because we are weaker now, but in two years, ten years, or one hundred years, there will be someone who will liberate Jerusalem [from them]." (1) Palestinians Claim Holy Sites Palestinian claims to sovereignty over Temple Mount are based primarily on its holiness in Islam. They stated repeatedly that the Muslim holy places have the status of an Islamic Waqf [religious endowment]. Arafat stated again and again that he represents all Muslims, reminding President Clinton that he serves as the permanent deputy chairman of the 'Islamic Conference' organization, (2) and that: "The Arab leader who would give up Jerusalem has not yet been born." (3)(I) Regarding himself as the heir to the legacy of the Muslim conqueror of Jerusalem (in 638), Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab who protected Jerusalem's Christians, Arafat also demanded recognition as the defender and custodian of Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. "Arafat told us," said PA negotiator Saib Ereiqat, "that the Christian quarter is more important to him than the Muslim quarter because of his wish to uphold the terms of the 'Omar Pact' [regarding the status of non-Muslim monotheist religions according to Muslim tradition]." (4) Israeli Claims and the Palestinian Reactions Israel too presented its demand for sovereignty over the
Temple Mount on the
basis of its holiness in Judaism, as the site of the first and
second temples. On this basis, it raised - for the first time - a demand
for a Jewish prayer site on the edge of the mountain. The Palestinians rejected both demands, regarding them as an attempt to foil any chance for an agreement. The Islamic Waqf [Islamic endowments] Council in Jerusalem explained this position: "The Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to the Muslims alone, according to a divine decision, and is part of the Muslim faith. Prayer in it by non-Muslims is forbidden by [religious] law. Any attempt to harm its holiness or the site itself, or to desecrate it would injure Muslims all over the world." (5) (II) The PA Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Sheikh 'Ikrima Sabri explained that the buildings surrounding the Al-Aqsa mosque are also holy and therefore establishing a synagogue there would be impossible: "All the buildings surrounding the Al-Aqsa mosque are an Islamic waqf. These buildings have direct openings, doors and windows, to the site of the Al-Aqsa mosque, and therefore their status is similar to that of Al-Aqsa in terms of blessing and holiness. Therefore, according to Islamic law, it is impossible to plunder any of these buildings and turn it into a synagogue for the Jews." (6) The Palestinian rejection of Israel's demands to sovereignty and prayer sites on Temple Mount is based on a complete denial of any Jewish affiliation with Temple Mount. According to the Palestinians, the "so-called temple" that Israel recalls, has never been there, and there is no evidence to suggest its existence. This position was voiced by Arafat as well as many high-ranking Palestinians, such as PA Minister of International Planning and Cooperation Nabil Sha'ath (7), Saib Ereiqat, (III) and PA Legislative Council Chairman Abu 'Alaa. Arafat told Clinton in this regard: "I am a religious man, and I will not allow it to be written of me [in history] that I. confirmed the existence of the so-called temple underneath the mountain." (8) Abu 'Alaa claimed that the Israeli demand is nothing but a plot: once it is accepted that the temple existed beneath the mosques, and Israel gains sovereignty over the land under the mosques - "It will mean that within a few years they will destroy the mosques." (9) This was a reference to the September 1996 Western Wall Tunnel riots, in which the Palestinians claimed that the tunnel was dug with the aim of destabilizing the foundations of the mosques, to ultimately destroy them. Abu 'Alaa also claimed that "at Camp David the Israelis offered Palestinian sovereignty over the ground and Israeli sovereignty under the ground. Who would agree to this? They offered Palestinian sovereignty, and Israeli super-sovereignty. There is no precedent such a thing. They also offered Palestinian control under Israeli sovereignty, in a sort of diplomatic representation, similar the status of an embassy that has sovereignty in Israeli land. Whoever agrees to such offers betrays faith." (10) A classified report by the Palestinian leadership on the Camp David summit refers to this Israeli offer: "The Israelis offered to divide the sovereignty .so that the Palestinians would have vertical sovereignty from the sky to the ground, and the Israelis would have sovereignty from the surface to the center of the earth. What they intended by this offer was the right to dig for the remains of the so-called temple, which [archeological] digs have failed to find for the last seventy years." (11) PLO Executive Committee Chairman Abu Mazen too denied the right of the Jews to a prayer site on Temple Mount. He raised a practical argument: the Palestinian experience with Jews in joint Jewish-Muslim prayer sites. He stated: "We have learned the lessons of the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. The Jews asked to visit them, then it became the basis for [further] demands. In the Hebron mosques, they asked to pray at the site, and today anyone who visits the Tomb is beaten [by them]. For these reasons, as a matter of principle we will allow neither [Jewish] sovereignty nor prayer in, around, or above the mosques. (12) _________________ (III) According to the reports, Ereiqat made this denial
at a Camp David meeting in the presence of President Clinton, who noted that the
Christian Minister at Camp David believes Israel's version. Ha'aretz (Israel),
July 27, 2000. Akram Haniya, editor of Al-Ayyam and an Arafat advisor who
participated in Camp David, criticized the Israeli demands, and furthermore
their acceptance Palestinian claims to the Western Wall The Palestinians state that the Western Wall is also a holy Islamic site and an Islamic Waqf. Its holiness derives, according to The Koran and Muslim tradition, from its being the site where the Prophet Muhammad landed in his divine nocturnal journey from Mecca to Jerusalem. The Western Wall is where he tied his horse called 'Al-Buraq,' and it is known in Islam as 'The Al-Buraq Wall.' At Camp David, Arafat also based his claim to the site on an "assertion by the British mandatory government in 1929 that the Western Wall is the Wall of Al-Buraq, and that it is regarded as an Islamic Waqf and an historic Islamic right." (14) The PA mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Sheikh 'Ikrima Sabri explained that the Western Wall is part of the Al-Aqsa Wall, and therefore is an Islamic Waqf. On the other hand, he asserted: "no stone of the Al-Buraq Wall has any relation to Judaism. The Jews began praying at this wall only in the nineteenth century, when they began to develop [national] aspirations, as Yossi Beilin has said." (15) Nevertheless, the Palestinians are ready to acknowledge the right of Jews to pray at the Western Wall out of "respect to Judaism," but only on the condition that the sovereignty over it will be Palestinian. PA Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Feisal Al-Husseiny explained that: "The PA is ready to discuss all the arrangements relating to free access, worship and Jews visiting Jerusalem, on the condition that the sovereignty over the city be fully Palestinian." (16) However, as Abu 'Alaa asserted: "there is no point in discussing the details of these arrangements, before Israel has recognized Palestinian sovereignty over [East] Jerusalem." (17) Abu Mazen recognized the fact that "Jerusalem is holy for all [religions]" and explained that even though the Jews would be granted the right to pray at the wall - the wall will remain an Islamic Waqf: "All parties have a right to their religious worship on the mountain. The Jews have the right to visit the Western Wall and pray there, despite the fact that the British Commission asserted in 1929 that the wall is an Islamic Waqf. Arafat has always said that he will allow them to pray at the site." (18) Arafat expressed this idea in an interview with the Japanese news agency NHK during his last visit to Tokyo. While rejecting Israel's claim to sovereignty on Temple Mount, he added: "However, I offered them [the Jews] freedom of prayer at the Western Wall. They are praying there, and I offered that they would be able to continue with their prayers, because I respect Judaism." Arafat reiterated this statement repeatedly during the interview. In an answer to the interviewer's question about the holiness of the Wall to the Jews too, he said: "I have offered them free access to pray at the Western Wall .they will have an open corridor to reach the Western Wall." (19) PA Mufti Sheikh 'Ikrima Sabri, dismissed the concern that the prohibitions that kept Jews from reaching the "Al-Buraq Wall" from 1948 and 1967, may be repeated if a Palestinian State is granted sovereignty over the Western Wall. "Circumstances have changed," he said, "[now] there is international recognition [of the right to religious worship] - and the Jews are able to reach the Wall. Arafat can tell them: 'Give me sovereignty over Jerusalem, and I will make it possible for you to reach the 'Al-Buraq Wall' and pray there. I promise you freedom of worship.' [However] granting free access to the wall does not mean that the Wall will belong to them. The Wall is ours." (20) Ref. notes: (1) Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (PA), August 10, 2000.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization providing translations of the Arab media and original analysis and research on developments in the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available upon request. Contact details at top of this artixle For additional information on this topic, click on title
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