[Global Issue+] Jerusalem's 'Temple Mount' at the Heart of the Palestine Conflict

Shared Holy Sites of Judaism and Islam... Seeds of Conflict
'Jerusalem Day' Event Held During Ramadan Sparks Tensions

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas in the Gaza Strip escalate, the conflict has deepened into a full-scale war, with confrontations extending to the West Bank of the Jordan River. The human toll is severe, with over 140 deaths reported in the Gaza Strip alone. This latest Palestinian conflict, like previous ones, was triggered by disputes between Muslims and Jews at the 'Temple Mount' in the Old City of Jerusalem.

According to local media such as the Times of Israel on the 15th (local time), the initial spark of the clashes between the two sides occurred during the 'Jerusalem Day' commemorative event held by Jews on the 10th. This day marks the Israeli army's occupation of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War, and many Jews gathered at the 'Western Wall' located within the Temple Mount to hold ceremonies. It is assessed that the conflict between Muslims and Jews began here, and a fire broke out, sowing the seeds of the dispute between the two sides.

In fact, since 1967, the Temple Mount has often been a flashpoint in the Palestinian conflict. Because it is a shared holy site for both Judaism and Islam, clashes frequently occur when religious events from both sides take place simultaneously. This time, the overlap of Ramadan and Jerusalem Day events created a situation ripe for conflict.

Judaism: The Site Where the Messiah's Temple Will Be Built

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In Israel, the Temple Mount is regarded as a place deeply connected to national identity. It is believed in Judaism to be the location where God first created the first human, Adam, and where the Jerusalem Temple once stood. The famous Western Wall is also located here. However, after the Roman Empire destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE, it was never rebuilt, and today a mosque built by Muslims stands on the site.

Extremist Jewish groups advocate demolishing this mosque and rebuilding Solomon's Temple, but the Israeli government has been reluctant to take action. Although Israel claims Jerusalem as its constitutional capital, international law regards it as a neutral zone, making any unilateral moves difficult. After the Middle East wars, the United Nations (UN) designated Jerusalem as a neutral zone belonging neither to Israel nor Palestine, dividing it into East Jerusalem under Israeli occupation and West Jerusalem under Palestinian control. Currently, Israel exercises effective control over the entire Jerusalem area.

Islam: The Holy Site Where Muhammad Ascended

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Temple Mount also holds great significance in Islam. It is traditionally believed to be the site where Muhammad ascended to heaven. The Dome of the Rock, with its iconic golden roof, which has become a symbol of Jerusalem today, was built to commemorate this event. The building is known to have been constructed around the 12th century during the height of the Crusades.

Most Palestinian residents, who are predominantly Muslim, view this site?one of Islam's three holiest places?as something that must be protected from Jewish control, and they believe Israel should be expelled. However, not all Muslims share the same stance regarding the Temple Mount. Islam traditionally forbids the use of force at holy sites.

Arab League countries, including Saudi Arabia?the birthplace of Islam?as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, discourage the use of force or conflict at the Jerusalem Temple Mount and hope to prevent disputes from arising. Many of these countries are pro-American and have recently normalized diplomatic relations with Israel. They have even warned the Palestinian Authority that continued conflict in Jerusalem could lead to cuts in development aid to Palestine.