After two Israeli guards were shot to death on the Temple Mount on July 14, Israel promptly did what it should have done long ago: it installed metal detectors at the entrances to the Temple Mount, in order to make it harder for weapons to be smuggled onto it. There was nothing particularly unusual about such metal detectors. They are all over the world, most noticeably at every airport. Entrances to both the House and the Senate require visitors to pass through metal detectors. Metal detectors are now at the Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster in London. They are at the provincial legislatures in Canada and at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. After the attacks on Bataclan in Paris and the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, more and more nightclubs have installed metal detectors. Government office buildings all over America have them. Courts have them. You can’t look at the riches in the Louvre until you pass through metal detectors. Metal detectors, too, guard the Musee D’Orsay. Even to approach the Eiffel Tower, you have to pass through metal detectors. In Washington, the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of American History, and the Natural History museums all use metal detectors. Fabled Fenway Park has metal detectors. The Taj Mahal has metal detectors. So does the Indian Parliament. At St. Peter’s Basilica, there are metal detectors. There are now even metal detectors at checkpoints leading into St. Peter’s Square. This year, for the first time, there were metal detectors at the Cannes Film Festival.
And in the Middle East, no important mosque or shrine is without its metal detectors. In fact, a lot of lesser-known mosques all over the world now have their metal detectors. No one seems to mind; everyone understands they are there to save lives. The Saudis have metal detectors at every entrance to the Great Mosque of Mecca. The Sayyeda Zainab Mosque (Shiite) in Damascus has metal detectors. So does the Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini in Teheran. As for the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, it, too, has metal detectors. There are metal detectors at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. And by now you can probably guess, not to be outdone are the Egyptians, with metal detectors at the Mosque of ibn Tulun in Cairo. And you would not be surprised to learn, I’m sure, that the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine in Karbala, Iraq has — you guessed it!– metal detectors. In Tehran, at the university, for Friday Prayers, everyone must pass through — a metal detector!
But there is one place where metal detectors are apparently an unforgivable offense. In Jerusalem, there are metal detectors for those wishing to visit the Western Wall, but that’s okay, because it’s Jews who are being checked on. But it’s the other metal detectors, the ones put in place less than two weeks ago, that have become a source of rage among the “Palestinians.” And while Prime Minister Netanyahu gave the impression he would not allow Israel to be swayed, he rather quickly changed his mind, and “insisting he would ne’er relent, relented.” The Israelis removed the metal detectors and instead installed security cameras. Again,the “Palestinians” appeared on the streets, ready to rage. Again they prostrated themselves in prayer on the street outside the Lion’s Gate entry to the Temple Mount. Again they demanded the removal of security equipment, meaning now the security cameras. Again the Israelis gave the impression that in no uncertain terms, they would not back down. And then, still in no uncertain terms, Israel backed down again, and removed the security cameras, giving the “Palestinians” the victory they so richly undeserved.
If there is any conceivable reason to justify these soft retreatments, it may have to do with the unofficial understanding Israel now has with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who are friends of convenience, for all three countries share an abiding fear of Iran. It may be that the Israelis were given to understand that those alliances would be endangered if the Arab “street’” were to be whipped up by the manufactured hysteria of the “Palestinians,” and that it was more important to maintain a common front against Iran than to insist on enhanced security at the Temple Mount. In any case, there may be other ways that the Israelis can enhance security without publicizing their methods. Who knows what the extremely clever Israelis may manage to come up with? Eyes in the sky, with ever-improving technology for eagle-eyed drones that neither slumber nor sleep.
The Israelis should now announce that should there ever be another attack on Israeli soldiers on the Temple Mount, soldiers who are there only to assure order, and to prevent projectiles being hurled on Jewish worshippers below, then the metal detectors will be reinstalled. And Prime Minister Netanyahu should make sure to add that those metal detectors will remain to provide security for everyone, Muslim, Christian and Jew, just as similar metal detectors now provide security all over the world, at the American Congress and the British Parliament and at Muslim sites, too, including the Great Mosque in Mecca, the Mosque of ibn Tulun in Cairo, the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashad, etc. etc., and, of course, the munificent mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini — gone but not forgotten — in Tehran.
I don’t think the “Palestinians” will, even now, simmer down. They’re exhibiting what Churchill famously attributed to Muslims in general, that is “a fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog.” So let the dogs bark, while the caravan moves on.
dumbledoresarmy says
Dear Hugh: put what you just wrote into a letter and send it to PM Netanyahu, himself.
mortimer says
If Israel asks King Abdullah to install metal and bomb detection and he refuses, Israel can blame King Abdullah when the next innocent people are murdered by terrorists.
Louis Schwartz says
Mortimer: Great Idea!
Liz says
Exactly.
Bertie Russell says
I understand that the Temple Mount is administered by Jordan, and that the King of Jordan is very angry at Israel for the recent shooting of a Jordanian guard, who actually happens to be a son of the King. Within that context, I think that Mr. Netanyahu couldn’t do much else than what he did, so I don’t blame him. That is: presuming my understanding is correct.
mortimer says
If King of Jordan as protector of Temple Mount were to install metal detectors on his own initiative, it would be more easily accepted and seen as considerate, thoughtful ‘right thinking’ for the protection of the public.
Israel should ask King Abdullah to install them.
WPM says
If king Abdullah says he does not want to install the metal detectors ask him if he is willing to take all his problem children Palestinians back. If he will not do either of those two choses put a wall around it to seal it off from all public view.
Kesselman says
It’s an utterly bad habit to give in on security matters. The Israeli authorities ought to know better. Every time you give in new demands are on the table or the streets immediately. – In times like these, the Jihadi has to bend to our will. Their mentality shows the road to go. It’s paramount that the Pal-Arabs get to understand that they have a lost case. They’ll never get a cold hand on any part of Jewish land. The sooner Jerusalem acknowledges this will of the majority of the Jewish people the better. It’ll go to somewhat settle the minds of our adversaries. There’s a roadblock ahead – you cannot get further – or you die.
Dwayne Austin says
“Who knows what the extremely clever Israelis may manage to come up with?”
Plenty of surrounding high ground for IDF snipers to take out any trouble makers. No muss, no fuss, the Tangos just drop dead quietly…
mortimer says
Israel should consult with Saudi Arabia about the security systems they use at Saudi religious sites and then use the same security companies that install this equipment in Saudi Arabia.
The Pallies will then be unable to claim that the equipment is ‘unfair’ or unusual or discriminatory.
gravenimage says
You are assuming that the “Palestinian” Muslims are rational and fair, Mortimer–they are anything but.
Jen says
Exactly. I’m sure King Abdullah couldn’t care less. I’m sure Netanyahu knows that. I just wonder what happened to all of his resolve. Was he threatened?
mortimer says
The metal dectectors protect the public. No visitor, pilgrim or tourist wishes to be blown up, shot or stabbed while visiting Temple Mount.
No reasonable person would disagree that security measures at Temple Mount should be the most effective available for preventing attacks against visitors.
Many Arab business benefit from the trade brought by visitors to Temple Mount. These business owners should tell their leaders that they want the security measures.
WPM says
Mortimer you are 100 percent right ,but you stated no reasonable person would disagree what makes you think you are dealing with reasoning thinking people? Even if the native Moslem people would benefit from tourism ,money ,jobs, they will spit at any idea brought about by the jooews!
Baucent says
Precisely
gravenimage says
Mortimer, you are assuming that all Muslim shopkeepers are normal, rational people who have no interest in destroying Israel and slaughtering Jews. Knowing what you know about Islam, what could you possibly be basing this on?
Here’s what “Palestinian” Muslims really think:
“Poll: Most Palestinians want to eliminate Israel”
http://www.timesofisrael.com/poll-palestinians-backing-2-states-become-minority/
“72% of Palestinian Arabs Support Genocide Against the Jews”
https://www.algemeiner.com/2015/12/08/72-of-palestinian-arabs-support-genocide-against-the-jews/
Tony46 says
The Dome will be destroyed by God in anycase:
”For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be rebuilt.”
Isaiah 25:2.
(Read also the whole chapter 25 and 26)
Steve Klein says
If taking down these modest security measures was motivated by an unofficial understanding Israel has with ‘friends of convenience’, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, I believe it was a terrible miscalculation. As Israel’s enemies do not respect demonstrations of weakness; only strength. In the final analysis, Israel will not be able to count on these ostensible friends of convenience when it comes to the Iranian threat, security measures or no security measures at the Temple Mount.
jewdog says
Netanyahu decided that it was easier to feed the crocodile, but I’m not sure he’ll be eaten last.
gravenimage says
Hugh Fitzgerald: Netanyahu: Insisting That He’d Ne’er Relent — Relented
………………
Netanyahu has been pretty stalwart–but yes, he blinked here.
And what did this appeasement get him? No peace–despite (or because of) his backing down, the Mohammedans began rioting less than a day later.
Wellington says
On a specific matter I have mentioned before, just look at how Muslims pray as evidenced by the photo above (and a million others).
My God, they can’t do anything right, including the way they pray, what with their butts in the air. How absurd. How demeaning (gee, perhaps demeaning is wrapped up with submissiveness and sundry other Muslim errors——-but I digress).
Which is why I often call them “Buttlims.” After all, mocking evil is the next best thing to crushing it.
Benedict says
Muslim prayers are nothing but hateful political manifestations if they are not empty self serving, hypocritical rituals, and that’s what make them a fit target for ridicule and mockery as an exercise for puppets and parrots.
It is totally foreign to Muslim mentality to heed the instruction given by Jesus in NT:
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — and that indicates the demonic origin of Islam.
Lydia says
Ah yes, but having these security measures in such a hot spot of middle east conflict would simply make… too much sense!!!
And…. ah yes, but you see, then they can’t wage their jihad in ‘peace’!
Like that quote said, it is like they all have rabies or something. (not ‘rabbi’s’, rabies…!)
( ;
Mo says
” The Israelis removed the metal detectors and instead installed security cameras.”
This makes me so sick and so angry. Why does Israel let itself be bullied by these death cultists?! Why do they allow their citizens to be slaughtered by them?
It makes ZERO sense to me!
Baucent says
The Arabs are itching to start another uprising inside Israel blamed on an Israeli provocation. The metal detectors gave them a reason. For whatever reason, the Israelis side decided not to play that game just yet. A lot of armchair experts on this JW site are criticizing the Israelis, (with some valid points), but what Israel needs is support not criticism. Criticism only helps the Arabs in their strategy of isolating Israel. They are playing a high stakes chess game here. Sometimes you sacrifice a piece while planning a winning move.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Everybody in the West is afraid to pull the trigger, apparently including even Bibi. Persia is loading up an extended nuclear strike capability, with our complaisance, but there is only one path to deal with them, and that’s military.
Communist China just militarized the South China Sea to steal a vast oil pool and oh by the way control the world’s busiest sea line. What could go wrong with that? And they’ve allowed their client state North K to load up. Apparently it’s never occurred to the Commies running the Celestial Kingdom that if Kim Jung Un nukes us that might have a deleterious effect on North America as its main market.
Kim Jung Un, crazy like a fox. Islam, crazy like Mohammed, crazy like a devil.
Norger says
This whole affair demonstrates the lunatic tribalism of Islam, and the cowardice of our mainstream media in calling it out. Two Israeli police officers (there to guard worshippers at the mosque!) are murdered by terrorists, using weapons hidden at the mosque. Israel installs metal detectors to prevent further attacks and the religion of perpetual outrage reacts with outrage, not at the murder of the police officers but at the metal detectors?! An imam IN THE US calls for the annihilation of the Jews. Crickets from the MSM on this. A 19 year old Palestinian breaks into a home and slaughters an Israeli family. And the Palestinians somehow remain the victims in all of this. This is far beyond the soft bigotry of low expectations, acceptance of Islamic savagery is now totally mainstream.
Linnte says
There’s another aspect of this that we ignore. Just imagine if we stopped preventing terrorism, how much terrorism would HAPPEN. I know there will be loss of lives! BUT it will also bring all this Islamic CRAP to a head. Per behavioral management science- A Behavior Escalates Before It Changes.
I for one WANT this to come to a head then BOOM! We can put the kabosh to Islamic Sharia. I am so sick and tired of the evil of Islam. Remove our troops from Afghanistan, and all other Islamic Countries. Stop sending the damn Palistinians MONEY and no more aid to any Islamic country. If Sudan starves, let them starve. Let the crap hit the fan. Stop any migration of Muslims into Western Nations. Just STOP interfering in ANY Islamic anything. Watch them destroy themselves.
By interfering, we are just putting off the inevitable. Let the Wild Rumpus begin!
Ron Naujelis says
I agree with Linnte, nothing the west does seems to help them integrate or appreciate
The millions the west has spent to help them, food, money, a place to live, and clothing. Nothing helps, so I agree with Linnie. Money to the Palistians should stop
immediately, it not going to the people after their leaders skim off millions. It’s a sick society why my country let so many in is beyond me. The Muslin Brotherhood and (CAIR) Center of American Islamic Relations, both especially the former supported terrorist, the later connections with Hamas. I’m disappointed that my Gov. Is doing nothing. The slimey democrats are pandering to them guess for what, votes they
would destroy the country for votes, just as Obama has done about Illegals and non citizens. We need our Gov. To do something fast before we lose control to radicals and corrupt liars, democrats