Former Knesset member: A war for the Temple is underway

Temple Mount. Jerusalem. Photo: Jamal Awad/Flash90

Dozens of ultra-right religious activists from the movement "for the construction of the Third Temple on the site of Al-Aqsa" held a new mass pilgrimage to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and demonstratively prostrated themselves on the stones on August 25, reports news.israelinfo.

Moshe Feiglin, an Israeli public and political figure with right-wing views and a former member of the 19th Knesset, stated that this is the largest prayer pilgrimage by religious Jews to the Temple Mount. According to him, "the ongoing war is not a war; this is, in fact, a war for the Temple."

The police, which had previously cracked down harshly on such demonstrations on the Temple Mount, are now inactive, following the policy of the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

"Demonstrative actions of burning the Quran in Gaza, the 'capture' of the Al-Aqsa compound – Israeli ultra-right groups are mobilizing all means to ignite not just a 'regional war' but a full-fledged global 'Battle of Gog and Magog', which is supposed to culminate in the coming of the Messiah and the worldwide triumph of Judaism," writes news.israelinfo.

On the morning of August 26, after a mass Jewish pilgrimage to the Temple Mount the previous evening, where worshippers prostrated themselves on the ground in violation of the status quo, Minister Ben-Gvir stated that "he would build a synagogue on the Temple Mount" and demanded "fair equality" for Jews and Muslims.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to quickly release a statement saying that there were no changes to the status quo on the Temple Mount.

As previously reported, Israel may pass a law prohibiting Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.