The Temple Mount refers to a flat plaza situated above the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, and it is considered a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike.
According to Jewish teachings, Temple Mount, known in Hebrew as Har Habayit, is the site where Abraham took his son Isaac to be sacrificed and is the location of both ancient Jewish Temples. The location is the holiest site in Judaism, and Jews turn to face it while praying.
In Islam, the Temple Mount, or al-Haram-al-Sharif, is believed to be the site of one of three Sacred Mosques and the location of the Prophet Muhammed's journey to Jerusalem, one of the most celebrated events in the Islamic calendar. Among Sunni Muslims, it is considered to be the third holiest site in Islam. the al-Aqsa compound is located on the plaza.
Temple Mount is considered to be one of the most contested religious sites in the world, due to conflicting religious claims to it. While Jewish people and other non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site, Jewish prayer is forbidden, a fact which has caused ongoing tensions between the religious groups.
The Jerusalem Islamic Wakf oversees the day-to-day administration of the Temple Mount, which they have done since Israel handed over control after the 1967 Six Day War, although Israeli security forces maintain a presence on location and control the entry points.
The site has been the focus of intense clashes between Israeli and Palestinian visitors in the past, and it has been closed for entry during increased periods of tension, and in May 2021, the conflict reached new heights when Israel Police clashed with Palestinian rioters on Temple Mount, even entering al-Aqsa Mosque and firing tear gas inside the building.
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The 12.15-meter-long and approximately 1.75-m -wide column is thought to have been quarried in order to decorate the Second Temple.
The Prime Minister's Office released a statement in response to the visit, saying that the "status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed."
"I call on the Chief Rabbinate to replace the sign prohibiting ascent with a sign that permits Jews to ascend the Mount!" MK Simcha Rothman stated.
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Saudi Arabia's statement came after a Sunday report that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the Temple Mount entrance with an entourage.
Going up to the Temple Mount – the place of God’s presence on Earth – in the middle of this painful Jewish era.
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