Jerusalem: On June 15, amid escalating tensions, Iran launched a counter-strike against Israel while Palestinians near Al Aqsa Mosque watched missiles streak across the sky. Despite Israel's aggression towards Iran, the people of Gaza continued to suffer the harsh realities of war, yet the missiles were not intended for them this time. The situation has reignited fears of a longstanding Zionist conspiracy theory regarding Al Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest site.
According to TRTworld.com, the rhetoric of Israeli leaders since October 7, 2023, has increasingly incorporated religious narratives, suggesting a shift away from purely strategic or political motivations in Gaza. Zahide Kor argues that under the current circumstances, the idea of Israel striking Al Aqsa and blaming Iran to provoke regional conflict is not entirely irrational. This theory gained traction following a resurfaced video of extremist Israeli Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi proposing such a scenario.
Historians, including Zekeriya Kursun of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University, note the potential strategic gains of such a plan for Israel, which could exacerbate the Sunni-Shia divide and condition Muslims worldwide to accept the potential destruction of Al Aqsa. Despite official assurances from Israeli authorities about maintaining the status quo at the mosque, actions like permitting Jewish prayer under police protection and supporting groups with ambitions to build a Jewish temple on the site suggest otherwise.
The Temple Mount movement, supported by influential figures like Kenneth Abramowitz and Eli Ben-Dahan, openly seeks to replace the Islamic holy sites with a Jewish temple. The movement's recent importation of red heifers from Texas, believed necessary for purification rituals preceding temple construction, highlights their determination.
In Israeli politics, proponents of building a Third Temple have gained influence, with figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir, now minister of national security, advocating for Jewish sovereignty over the site. Their actions and rhetoric intensify Palestinian fears of a potential Israeli takeover of Al Aqsa Mosque.
Historically, events like the 1969 arson attack on Al Aqsa and the 1994 massacre at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron demonstrate a pattern of indirect actions to alter the status quo of Islamic holy sites. The 1967 capture of East Jerusalem, including Al Aqsa, marked a significant step toward Israel's long-term goals, yet full control over the mosque remains elusive.
For over half a century, Israel has exercised control over Jerusalem, but the dream of establishing full authority over Al Aqsa persists, deeply rooted in Zionist ambitions. The current geopolitical climate, marked by conflict and religious fervor, presents a precarious situation for the future of this sacred site.