The recent Jerusalem Day commemorations on May 26 revealed Israel’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Palestinian holy sites, with far-right marches through Muslim quarters featuring chants of “Death to Arabs” and desecration of Islamic symbols under police protection. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly endorsed these demonstrations while advocating for complete Jewish control over Temple Mount – the site housing Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. Prime Minister Netanyahu further inflamed tensions by touring controversial tunnels beneath the mosque, claimed as “archaeological projects” but widely viewed as attempts to destabilize its foundations.
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This year’s events exposed Israel’s accelerating efforts toward constructing a Third Temple – a messianic project for religious Zionists who believe its establishment will usher in Jewish dominance. Historical precedents show the First Temple (957 BCE) and Second Temple (538 BCE) were both destroyed, with only the Western Wall remaining. Contemporary Israeli politicians ritualistically pledge allegiance there to secure pro-Israel lobby support. The current campaign, backed by groups like the Temple Institute, represents a dangerous escalation from the cautious approach of 1967 when Chief Rabbis prohibited Jewish prayer on the mount.
With uniformed soldiers now sporting Third Temple insignia and ministers openly calling for Al-Aqsa’s replacement, 2025 marks a turning point in Israel’s theocratic ambitions. As excavations continue beneath the mosque and settlement expansion intensifies, these developments threaten to transform the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into an irreversible religious war with global repercussions. The international community faces urgent questions about preventing further desecration of holy sites while preserving any possibility of peaceful coexistence.
