The Breathtaking Arrogance of Entitlement

"Jews have no rights in the mosque and its courtyard. The role of Israeli authorities as the occupying power is protecting this site from non-Muslims who plan to take it over, not helping them."
"They crashed many windows and damaged many carpets."
Abdelazem Salhab, official, Islamic Waqf

Police examine a barricade set up by Palestinians on the Temple Mount compound, Jerusalem, September 13, 2015. (Police spokesperson)

Israeli police in Jerusalem received a report that protesters had planned to make a disturbance during visits to the compound around the Al-Aqsa Mosque built over the two [successive] Temples of Solomon, the most sacred site in Judaism, during visits by Jewish worshippers and tourists in celebration of the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashona. When Jordan administered the holy sites before the 1967 war when Israel was able to reclaim Eastern Jerusalem, Jews were not permitted entry to their most sacred holy site.

Israeli paratroopers at the Western Wall 1967
Once Israel succeeded in replacing Jordan as the custodian of the area, the sites were open to everyone. As a concession to Jordan with whom a peace agreement was eventually signed, Israel agreed to grant Jordan continued administration of the site, and the Islamic Waqf administers the Noble Sanctuary [Temple Mount in Judaism]. Islam does not willingly share anything with anyone, and Israel, to keep the peace, agreed to the demand that no Jews be permitted to pray on the Temple Mount.

Jews pray instead, at the Wailing Wall, the Western Wall representing all that s left of the second building of the Temple of Solomon, destroyed by the Romans when Israelites refused to bow to Imperial Rome. Jews may enter the plaza of the Temple Mount by arrangement, and accompanied by protection because their presence excites Muslim rage. Jews are not permitted to sing, to pray, to prostrate themselves there because Islam considers their presence on what they call the Noble Sanctuary an assault on Islam.

Palestinians chant slogans during a protest in Jerusalem's old city, Sunday, Sep. 13, 2015. Israeli police briefly clashed with Palestinian protesters at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site early Sunday, raising tensions in the holy city ahead of the Jewish New Year. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

While Palestinian Arabs deplore the presence of Jews at their third most holy site, but the holiest site for Judaism, and insist that the area is sacred only to Muslims, they often are moved to violently express their rage at the presence of Jews. This, in a country and a land that is of Jewish heritage, and where Jews finally have their nationhood resurrected. The intolerance, bigotry and hatred of Muslims to the presence of Jews in their own country at their own sacred shrine is breathtaking in its wretched hostility.

Police released a video that showed protesters barricaded themselves within the mosque and from their perch inside the mosque threw rocks and firecrackers at police. Police removed the barricades around the building, discovering the presence of suspected pipe bombs at the mosque entrance. There were no arrests or injuries resulting from the violence, but a three-hour standoff ensued before the area was once again reopened for visitors.

A Jewish man wearing a traditional prayer shawl was attacked. He had water bottles thrown at him, he was tripped and kicked. Muslim women threw objects at him and "passing Arabs" beat him. This represents the religion of peace and its adherents' capacity to live in peace and harmony with non-Muslims. It also expresses the supreme arrogance of Muslim entitlement.