Following the events related to the struggle over the Temple Mount, some are expressing concern that the conflict between us and the Arabs is turning into a religious war. These statements are usually heard from politicians and commentators who are not well-versed in the issues. In contrast, researchers and experts make it clear that the heart of the conflict between us and the Arab world is not political but religious.
This misunderstanding is what gives rise to all failed peace initiatives. People with a Western-secular perspective believe that other people also think in the same terms and concepts. Give them political independence, economic prosperity and advanced technology – and peace will come to the world. Herein lies the great mistake. The Arab world is driven by strong religious energies, according to which there is no place for a Jewish presence in this space.
Whose cave is it?
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The illustration of this can be seen in the places holy to the Jewish people. It is there that Muslims chose to build large mosques and turn them into Islamic centers. Jerusalem is not mentioned even once in the Quran, while in the Bible it is mentioned more than seven hundred times. Jews of all generations and in all places around the world pray facing Jerusalem, while the Arabs, when standing in Jerusalem, pray facing Mecca, with their backs toward Jerusalem. And yet, the Muslims decided to turn our holy place into a mosque.
A similar thing occurs in the Cave of the Patriarchs. More than once, the Arabs claim ownership of the Cave of the Patriarchs, saying that they, the Ishmaelites, are descendants of our forefather Abraham. But when we examine the story of the life of Sarah, it becomes clear how far from the truth this claim is.
Our forefather Abraham bought the Cave of the Patriarchs for the burial of Sarah, the mother of our forefather Isaac. Later in the story, it is said that Abraham gave all his possessions to Isaac, and indeed, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah were later buried in the cave. What right do the Ishmaelites have over the graves of the fathers and mothers of the Jewish people?!
The Arabs are using exactly the same method of 'murder and inherit.' Both in the Cave of the Patriarchs and on the Temple Mount they built mosques in places sacred to Jews, and now they hypocritically claim that these are their 'holy places.' No one asks them what right they had to dare to build mosques in places so sacred to the Jewish people.
Repeated lies
The Arabs' lies are accepted in the public consciousness because they repeat them over and over again, with determination and aggression. They have no "gentlemen" who call for understanding the other side or who try to argue that it is inappropriate to make religious arguments. Any claim, even the most unfounded, that can strengthen their position receives the full support of their people.
And so the Arabs are not ashamed to deny the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount. Their spokesmen do not hesitate to deny what is known to everyone in the world, that the First and Second Temples stood on the Temple Mount for centuries. To them, everything is a lie and a fabrication and an 'invention' of Jews.
Anyone who believes that it is possible to give up the Temple Mount and the Cave of the Patriarchs and remain in Tel Aviv is mistaken. In the eyes of our enemies, the entire Land of Israel is Muslim holy land, and Jews must not have any control over it. According to their view, Jews in the Land of Israel can only be residents under protection, but not sovereign. This is the core of the debate, and it must be decided in Jerusalem and Hebron, and we must fight for our truth against their lies.
