Operation “Breaking Dawn”: tensions high in Jerusalem on Jewish day of mourning
Hundreds of Jews are expected to visit Temple Mount (al-Aksa, to Muslims) today, lamenting the destruction of the Biblical temple, amid the operation against the Islamic Jihad in Gaza
Mandi Kogosowski
| 07/08/2022
Jews visit the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City as Israel marks Tisha B'Av, the destruction of the First and Second Temples, August 7, 2022. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Rocket warning sirens were heard this morning in the outskirts of Jerusalem and two rockets, fired from the Gaza strip, were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. This is the first time in the 36 hours since the start of operation “Breaking Dawn”, launched against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, that Jerusalem has been targeted - but it should come as no surprise that it happened this morning.
Today is the 9th of Av (Tish’a Be’Av) in the Jewish calendar, an annual day of mourning and fasting for observant Jews, who lament various disasters that happened to the Jewish people, according to tradition, primarily the destruction of the Temples is Jerusalem.
Among the customs that have developed over recent years is a steady rise in the number of Jews who visit Temple Mount, or the al-Aqsa compound as it is known by the Muslims, who pray at the al-Aqsa mosque at its core.
While Jews believe that this is the holy site of the old Temple, it is also the third holiest site in Islam, following Mecca and Medina – as they believe Prophet Muhammad rose from there to the heavens.
This small, 37-acre, controlled and managed by the Jordanian Waqf, is perhaps the most volatile powder keg in Israel and the Middle East, the source of numerous riots over the years, and the very symbol of Palestinian resistance.
It should be noted, and stressed, that the number of Jews visiting the site are in the hundreds, and that the general Israeli population views those who do so as extremists, Messianic provocateurs. Most Jews, even observant, have no intention of visiting Temple Mount.
Due to operation “Breaking Dawn”, launched this past Friday by Israel against Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists and their infrastructure in the Gaza strip, there has been some speculation on whether Jews would be allowed to visit Temple Mount this morning, or whether this might cause an unnecessary escalation in the already tense situation. But following security consultations, Prime Minister Yair Lapid decided to allow Jewish Israelis to visit the holy site.
Starting in the early hours of this morning, lines gathered outside the back gate of Temple Mount (the only entrance for non-Muslims). Among those waiting to visit the site were several Members of Parliament, such as right-wing extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Ben-Gvir is among the abovementioned small, extreme group of observant Jews who believe in building the Third Temple on the mountain. And while Israel has stated time and time again that there is and will be no change in the status quo of this holy place, many Palestinians fear that al-Aqsa will indeed be destroyed for the sake of a Jewish temple – while many others use it as anti-Israel propaganda.
Hundreds, perhaps even thousands of Jews are expected at Temple Mount today. Large security forces are deployed across Jerusalem. The compound will close for non-Muslims just before 3pm today.
Hundreds of Jews are expected to visit Temple Mount (al-Aksa, to Muslims) today, lamenting the destruction of the Biblical temple, amid the operation against the Islamic Jihad in Gaza
Jews visit the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City as Israel marks Tisha B'Av, the destruction of the First and Second Temples, August 7, 2022. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Rocket warning sirens were heard this morning in the outskirts of Jerusalem and two rockets, fired from the Gaza strip, were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. This is the first time in the 36 hours since the start of operation “Breaking Dawn”, launched against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, that Jerusalem has been targeted - but it should come as no surprise that it happened this morning.
Today is the 9th of Av (Tish’a Be’Av) in the Jewish calendar, an annual day of mourning and fasting for observant Jews, who lament various disasters that happened to the Jewish people, according to tradition, primarily the destruction of the Temples is Jerusalem.
Among the customs that have developed over recent years is a steady rise in the number of Jews who visit Temple Mount, or the al-Aqsa compound as it is known by the Muslims, who pray at the al-Aqsa mosque at its core.
While Jews believe that this is the holy site of the old Temple, it is also the third holiest site in Islam, following Mecca and Medina – as they believe Prophet Muhammad rose from there to the heavens.
This small, 37-acre, controlled and managed by the Jordanian Waqf, is perhaps the most volatile powder keg in Israel and the Middle East, the source of numerous riots over the years, and the very symbol of Palestinian resistance.
It should be noted, and stressed, that the number of Jews visiting the site are in the hundreds, and that the general Israeli population views those who do so as extremists, Messianic provocateurs. Most Jews, even observant, have no intention of visiting Temple Mount.
Due to operation “Breaking Dawn”, launched this past Friday by Israel against Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists and their infrastructure in the Gaza strip, there has been some speculation on whether Jews would be allowed to visit Temple Mount this morning, or whether this might cause an unnecessary escalation in the already tense situation. But following security consultations, Prime Minister Yair Lapid decided to allow Jewish Israelis to visit the holy site.
Starting in the early hours of this morning, lines gathered outside the back gate of Temple Mount (the only entrance for non-Muslims). Among those waiting to visit the site were several Members of Parliament, such as right-wing extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Ben-Gvir is among the abovementioned small, extreme group of observant Jews who believe in building the Third Temple on the mountain. And while Israel has stated time and time again that there is and will be no change in the status quo of this holy place, many Palestinians fear that al-Aqsa will indeed be destroyed for the sake of a Jewish temple – while many others use it as anti-Israel propaganda.
Hundreds, perhaps even thousands of Jews are expected at Temple Mount today. Large security forces are deployed across Jerusalem. The compound will close for non-Muslims just before 3pm today.
