Israel: Why the Western Wall Might Become Part of A Mosque
This week UNESCO, the United Nations agency charged with dealing with cultural heritage sites, narrowly avoided having to vote on a resolution to officially declare Jerusalem’s Western Wall a part of the Muslim Al Aqsa Mosque.
Approving such measures would have made the Western Wall, often called the Wailing Wall, a trigger point for the same kinds of conflict and violence currently underway over at the Temple Mount.
The Western Wall is the only publically accessible remnant of the Second Jewish Temple, destroyed by Roman armies in A.D. 70, and is a treasured site for both Jews and Christians the world over. It has been a site for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage for centuries. It particularly has served as a focal point for Jewish mourning and longing for the destroyed Temple.
Jewish man praying on the Western Wall. (source: pixabay)
Currently, the Israeli government forbids Jews to pray on the Temple Mount because of the threat of violent reactions from Palestinian Muslims. Jews can visit, but are arrested if they are seen praying there. But even the right to visit there is under attack. As I mentioned last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently declared that the “filthy feet” of Jews should not be allowed to tread upon the site.
This week, Jewish People had to watch anxiously as access to their one remaining point of connection to the old Temple complex, the Western Wall, came under threat at the United Nations. To his credit, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. has strongly criticized this effort by a coalition of Arab nations to put the Western Wall under Muslim control and the resolution was removed at the last minute.
Even so, a proposal to have Rachel’s Tomb and the Tomb of the Patriarchs—both revered as holy sites to the Jewish People—declared to be Islamic heritage sites is still scheduled to be voted on by UNESCO.
A key part of our mission here is combating anti-Israel misinformation while rallying support for Israel and the Jewish People.
We got a stark reminder last week of what it might mean. Last Thursday, a mob of roughly 150 Palestinians attempted to set fire to Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem. And ISIS extremists have been destroying ancient holy sites wherever they have gained control.
A key part of our mission here is combating anti-Israel misinformation while rallying support for Israel and the Jewish People. Another key part is keeping you and others informed, enlightened, and encouraged as prophetic developments unfold. Along with that, we are ministering humanitarian aid and sharing the Good News of Yeshua to Jewish People throughout the world.
That’s why your ongoing support of Jewish Voice is so important and so appreciated. Please consider sharing an urgently needed contribution for this important work today by clicking on the “Donate Now” button below.
To thank you for your contribution of $50 or more today, we’d like to send you the lovely “Star of David Yeshua Necklace.” This sterling silver pendant contains the name of Yeshua in Hebrew beautifully designed into the Star of David and is truly unique.
We are so grateful for your support and your heart for Israel. Please join us in praying for the people of Israel in this troubling season. And we’ll continue to be here to bring you biblical interpretation and analysis of the latest news events.
Star of David Yeshua Necklace, Sterling Silver
This truly unique sterling silver necklace contains the name of Yeshua in Hebrew letters beautifully designed into the Star of David. It comes with an approximately 20” chain and is sure to inspire curiosity and open conversations about Yeshua the Jewish Messiah.
