The Noble Esplanade that surmounts Jerusalem been venerated as a holy site for thousands of years by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. (For reference: Where Heaven and Earth Meet: Jerusalem’s Sacred Esplanade, ed. Oleg Grabar and B.Z. Kedar, 2009). According to Jewish tradition two Temples once stood on the site, both destroyed. Muslims know it as the Noble Sanctuary, where the prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven and the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.

On September 12, 2024 the fundamentalist group Temple Mount Activists posted an AI-generated video to their X account showing the Al-Aqsa Mosque engulfed in flames along with the caption “Coming soon in these days.” The second video called for “absolute victory.”

On September 12, 2024 the fundamentalist group Temple Mount Activists posted an AI-generated video to their X account showing the Al-Aqsa Mosque engulfed in flames along with the caption “Coming soon in these days.” The second video called for “absolute victory.” On June 5th, 2024 Israeli minister Ben-Gvir declared that the Israelis could pray freely at the Temple Mount in violation of the status quo. To understand the historical context to these highly dangerous threats to the status quo, we recommend two books by Michael Dumper: The Politics of Sacred Space. The Old City of Jerusalem in the Middle East Conflict (2002) and Jerusalem Unbound (2024).

On June 5th, 2024 Israeli minister Ben-Gvir declared that the Israelis could pray freely at the Temple Mount in violation of the status quo. To understand the historical context to these highly dangerous threats to the status quo, we recommend two books by Michael Dumper: The Politics of Sacred Space. The Old City of Jerusalem in the Middle East Conflict (2002) and Jerusalem Unbound (2024).