Jerusalem: On June 15, during a tense moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Palestinians gathered around the Al Aqsa Mosque looked skyward, witnessing missiles overhead, yet remained unflinching. Despite Israel's continued military actions against Iran, the residents of Gaza persist under severe conditions, enduring what many describe as a genocidal conflict imposed by the Zionist state. However, the missiles that day were not targeting them, raising concerns about the resurfacing of a long-standing conspiracy theory involving Israel's intentions towards the Al Aqsa Mosque.
According to TRTworld.com, the current climate suggests that religious narratives and biblical motifs have become increasingly central to the rhetoric of Israeli leadership since October 7, 2023. This shift implies that Israel's actions in Gaza may transcend conventional political or strategic motivations. The theory posits that in the chaos of war, Israel might strike the sacred site, attributing the attack to Iran, thereby inciting regional outrage against Tehran.
A viral video featuring extremist Israeli Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi outlines a similar scenario, suggesting the bombing of Al Aqsa Mosque could be falsely blamed on Iran to spark conflict between Arabs and Iranians. Historian Zekeriya Kursun of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University notes that such a strategy could serve dual purposes: deepening the Sunni-Shia divide and acclimating the Muslim world to the potential destruction of Al Aqsa.
Despite official Israeli assurances against altering the mosque's status quo, actions since 2019, including permitting Jewish prayers under police supervision, suggest otherwise. The Israeli government has supported organizations like the Temple Mount movement, which advocates for constructing a Jewish temple on the site currently occupied by Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
The Temple Mount movement, known for its controversial goals, has gained attention with its statement advocating for the removal and relocation of the site's "pagan shrines" to Mecca. A 2018 investigation by Haaretz disclosed financial contributions from influential figures such as Kenneth Abramowitz and former deputy defense minister Eli Ben-Dahan to the Temple Institute, a group aligned with this movement.
In 2022, activists from the Temple Institute acquired five unblemished red heifers from Texas, circumventing livestock regulations by classifying them as pets. These heifers are crucial for a purification ritual believed necessary for Jewish worship at a future temple. Preparations for the temple, including ritual objects and priestly training, are reportedly complete, with only the sacrifice of the heifer and the destruction of Al Aqsa remaining.
Religious groups in Israel have been observed rehearsing the red heifer ritual, seen as essential for the Third Temple's construction, linked to messianic prophecies and apocalyptic beliefs. The influence of Third Temple proponents in Israeli politics is notable, with figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has openly claimed the Temple Mount for Israeli sovereignty, now holding significant political power.
Historian Zekeriya Kursun suggests that if an orchestrated attack on Al Aqsa were to occur, it would align with a pattern of indirect methods used by Israel to pursue controversial objectives. Past incidents, such as the 1969 Al Aqsa Mosque fire and the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, illustrate similar patterns of exploiting provocations to advance broader agendas.
The dream of establishing a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount dates back centuries. Although Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967, bringing Al Aqsa under occupation, the absence of full authority over the site remains a significant source of dissatisfaction. Despite controlling the territory for over fifty years, the goal of altering the status of Al Aqsa has not been realized, fueling ongoing tensions and speculations about future actions.