Jews can pray as they choose in London, New York, Buenos Aires or Sydney; yet the world is in an uproar after Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount to mark the solemn Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av.
The Temple Mount, which Judaism considers the holiest place on Earth because it was the site of the First and Second Temples should be a place every Jew is permitted to visit without controversy.
Sadly, the Palestinians had made it apparent again and again and again that their objection to a Jewish presence is anywhere Jews want to be. The Temple Mount is in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. Those who believe in tolerance and coexistence should support the right of Jews to visit all areas of Jerusalem.
Yet Jews can pray at Jewish holy sites anywhere in the world—just not in Jerusalem.
This morning, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said: “Unilateral actions like this that jeopardize the status quo are unacceptable. It detracts from what our stated goal is for the region, which is a two-state solution, a Palestinian state and an Israeli state that is side by side, living with dignity and harmony.”
If this fictional two-state solution, which wants people to live “with dignity and harmony,” is shaken up by a few Jews praying, then clearly those who object have an issue with Jews in the area.
The reality today is that Jews are only allowed to ascend the Temple Mount during very limited hours and it is closed to Jews on Shabbat. Yet Arabs can mostly pray freely.
This is racism against Jews in Jerusalem. If a tiny thing like Jews wanting to pray peacefully causes an uproar, then we don’t have any “partners for peace.”
Israelis cannot enter many Arab countries and Jews face a racist double standard on the Temple Mount. This is shameful.
Racism and discrimination are indeed alive and well in the Middle East.
