Synagogue
Planned For Temple Mount, Hashemites to Add Minaret
Tuesday, October 10, 2006 / 18 Tishrei 5767
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) is drawing up plans to construct a
synagogue on the Temple Mount, Judaisms holiest site. Jordan's
King plans to build a fifth minaret on the site as well.
The synagogue would be build upon the Temple Mount, but in an area
that is indisputably not within the areas that require immersion
and other preparations, according to Jewish law.
Ariel says that the synagogue would not change the Muslim status
quo on the mount, which is home to the Al-Aksa Mosque and the Dome
of the Rock.
This is not a new idea, Ariel stressed, it has been brought up
and considered countless times since the [1967] Six Day War [during
which the Temple Mount was liberated from Jordanian occupation
ed.].
The plan will be submitted to the Jerusalem municipality and the
Committee for Design and Construction for approval. Ariel says that
every aspect of the plan will be submitted to leading Torah
scholars for approval.
The National Union MK, who visited the Temple Mount himself Monday,
said that such a plan was an opportunity for the Muslim world to
prove it is capable of rising above the violence and intolerance
that have surfaced in the past year as a result of papal remarks
and political cartoon portraying Islams founder Muhammad.
Referring to Ariel's visit to the holy site, MK Talab el-Sana
(Taal) said the provocation would bring nothing but war and
bloodshed.
MK Ariel points out that every ruling by Israels Supreme Court
regarding the matter of the Temple Mount has recognized the right
of every Jew to pray on the Temple Mount. This is rectification of
a historic injustice, much more than the transport to Israel of
[Theodore] Herzls childrens bones [as was done recently, in
accordance with his wishes ed.].
"Since the destruction of the Holy Temple, the loss of our
independence and the start of our exile and oppression during the
destruction of the Second Temple, the Jewish presence at the site
of our temple has always been an unmistakable symbol. The Romans,
Byzantines and Crusaders expelled us and prevented Jews from
entering Jerusalem, because they couldnt stand to allow the Jewish
nation to serve its G-d at this holy site. This synagogue will not
interfere with believing Moslems who wish to pray at the Al-Aksa
Mosque. On the contrary, this is an opportunity for the Moslem
world to demonstrate and prove that it is tolerant enough."
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II has donated a huge carpet to
the Al-Aqsa Mosque and has announced a contest to design a fifth
minaret for the mosque. The existing minarets have been affixed
with green neon lights in recent years, dominating the Jerusalem
skyline. The planned minaret would be constructed along the eastern
wall of the Temple Mount and would be clearly visible towering
above the Western Wall.
The project requires approval by the Israeli government before it
can begin.