More tension at the Temple Mount . . .
NBC News reported online early this week that an attack on an Israeli security guard at Israel’s embassy in Amman, Jordan, could be an indication that more violence is coming.
The guard was attacked at Israel’s embassy in Jordan by a delivery worker who was then fatally shot by the guard. A second Jordanian man was apparently hit in the cross fire and later died of his injuries. Although the guard carries diplomatic immunity, Jordan officials declared they would not allow him to leave the country. It appears the attack on the guard was spurred by Israel’s installation of metal detectors at the Temple Mount.
Israel installed the devices after three West Bank terrorists, with the help of a fourth accomplice, smuggled guns into the sacred site in Jerusalem’s Old City and murdered two Israeli police officers. The heightened security measures touched off protests and violence that have resulted in the deaths of at least three Israelis and three Palestinians, with injuries to dozens more.
Reportedly spurred by the protests, a 19-year-old West Bank man climbed a barrier fence and entered the first house he came to in the Israeli community of Halamash. Once inside, he stabbed to death three adult members of a family gathered to celebrate the birth of a new baby. A fourth victim remains hospitalized.
Jordan manages religious activities at the Temple Mount, while Israel oversees security. There is widespread belief in the Islamic world that the increased security is part of an Israeli plan to slowly take over the site, which is considered sacred by Jews, Muslims and Christians
The Jerusalem Post reported clashes and protests at a dozen locations in the West Bank region during the week, as well as several in Jerusalem and Nazareth. The paper also said that hundreds of Muslims took part in a “sit-in” in the Old City of Jerusalem to protest the increased security at the Mount.
Israel faced increasing pressure from neighboring Muslim nations and the United States to remove the metal detectors, according to The Times of Israel. Muslim worshipers protested the metal detectors at the holy site by refusing to go inside for prayer. Instead, they have crowded the entranceways, bowing for prayer outside the Temple Mount.
Israel removed the security devices on Tuesday, but Israeli media report that high-resolution cameras will instead be installed at the site over the next six months.
Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu successfully negotiated with Jordan’s King Hussein to allow the detained embassy guard, who had been involved in the shooting, to return to Israel.
Tensions remain high. A poll reported that 77 percent of Israelis say their leaders capitulated >to foreign and Palestinian pressure. Fatah, the Palestinian Authority’s ruling party, called on Arabs to intensify pressure on Israel at the Temple Mount.
Palestinian Authority President Abbas froze all security coordination with Israel unless all security measures returned to those in place before July 14. He referred in part to remnants of metal railings and scaffolding used for the detectors at the site.
Protests continued despite removal of the metal detectors, and violence broke out again after Tuesday evening’s prayers. The Palestinian terror group Hamas declared victory over the removal, but also called for a “day of rage” to occur on Friday.
This morning, Israel removed the final vestiges of the added security measures. The Grand Mufti then called off the boycott of the Temple Mount and called for prayer services to be held at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, urging worshipers to pray there rather than at their local mosques. It remains to be seen if Hamas will rescind its call for rage on Friday.
When will the violence end? Will the violence end?
Is a week without violent confrontation in the Middle East too much to ask? Sometimes, I think many of us believe it is.
The fallout from the initial terrorist event a week ago in Jerusalem’s Old City is mounting, spreading and could lead to a result none of us wants to contemplate.
I think Israel reacted reasonably by installing metal detectors at the Temple Mount to protect its security force and Muslim worshippers. Palestinians and Muslims reacted to that with indignation, suspicion, riots, and – finally, more murders.
Eventually, when Yeshua (Jesus) returns in power and glory, He’ll usher in the final, lasting peace and the New Jerusalem promised to us in Revelation 21:2-5.
Until then, we must act with urgency to be sure that as many Jewish people as possible hear the Good News that the Prince of Peace is their Messiah.
I do hope you’ll stand with us in this God-given calling. Your gift now will make it possible to reach Jewish people with love and compassion, earning us the opportunity to share the Good News that undergirds our care and gives it meaning.
For your gift of $25 or more today, we’ll send you encouragement directly from the pages of the Bible. The Promise Box contains 120 Bible verses revealing God’s promises for you. Even as headlines from Israel are distressing, these Scriptures will bolster your faith and strengthen you to continue praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
