Dangerous Ideas?

By Author: David Ben-Ariel
Total Articles: 71
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A three judge Israeli panel permitted certain women to have services at the Western Wall, noting they "have the right to pray according to their custom...It is unacceptable that concern about a violent reaction by any sector of the public will lead to denial of the exercise by another sector of its right."

Yet it is precisely because of the threats of militant Muslims that Christians and Jews have always been denied their religious right upon the Temple Mount. Based upon the ruling, "freedom of access" to the Temple Mount should finally be guaranteed for all, as Israeli law states.

Former Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert accused the government and Attorney General of FAILING TO PROTECT JEWISH RIGHTS UPON THE TEMPLE MOUNT and were permitting the Muslims to build another mosque there. "Priceless archaeological treasures are being destroyed in the process," Olmert was quoted by Israel Radio. A municipal official who wanted to see the site was turned back by police. So law-abiding officials are turned away from the Temple Mount while Muslim criminals flout the law and foxes run free?

Benjamin Netanyahu: ...
... "The right of the Jewish people to its holy place - the Temple Mount - cannot be questioned...I believe it is necessary to arrange for Jewish prayer on the site, especially given that we permit freedom of worship to all the religions in Jerusalem...". And his office charged Palestinian officials with "disparaging Jewish holy sites and threatening potential worshippers" (in flagrant violation of Israel's 1967 Law for the Protection of the Holy Places and the Oslo Accords). His deputy director of communications, Michael Freund, responded to the PA mufti's declaration of war (that Jews "...must absolutely forget about having any rights over the Temple Mount...the Western Wall is just a fence belonging to a Muslim holy site") by saying "these statements are repugnant and they betray a contempt for Judaism's most sacred sites and beliefs. They are an affront to history and insulting to Jews everywhere."

Tzachi Hanegbi, former Israeli Public Security Minister, was quoted by Israeli media as telling the Knesset that the Temple Mount would soon be open to non-Muslims, with or without Muslim agreement:

"We cannot tolerate a situation in which worshippers of all faiths are not allowed to pray on Temple Mount...The time is close, much closer than one thinks, when Jews will be able to pray on this holy site."

Now, it's past time for Israel to take note of these public pronouncements and LIFT THE UNJUST ENTRY BAN ON DAVID BEN-ARIEL for simply saying and writing the same thing (for years). The Israeli police truly know and understand that the only security threat that came from my calls for this LONG OVERDUE JUSTICE were from the same Muslims who threaten to defy any changes in the deplorable status quo upon the Temple Mount.

I've been blessed to have served as a lowly volunteer on eight kibbutzim throughout the Promised Land of Israel. One of them was Kibbutz Sdot Yam, home to the Hungarian-born Israeli heroine, Hannah Senesh. While there I read Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary, that included this interesting observation: "When anyone in Hungary spoke of Zionism five or even two years ago, Jewish public opinion condemned him as a traitor of Hungary, laughed at him, considered him a mad visionary, and under no circumstances heard him out."

Thank God that the few Zionists were able to transcend the bitter criticism of the short-sighted majority! Thank G-d that such "mad" visionaries saw their dream become a reality: a Jewish Homeland!

During my brief appearance before Israel's High Court, the prosecution charged that I hold "dangerous ideas." I suppose the short-sighted prosecution would ban the Bible if he could since it contains the "dangerous ideas" that millions believe in! What are those "dangerous ideas?" That the Promised Land is promised to Israel and not to Ishmael; that the Temple Mount must be restored as the TEMPLE Mount and respected as Judaism's holiest site; that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel.

May Israel appreciate those who stand with them, who encourage them to be strong and overcome every obstacle, that the "dangerous ideas" may be recognized as innocent IDEALS and embraced, that Israel may live and prosper!
About the Author David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com