Jews Have No History In Jerusalem
This headline is an accurate description of the mindset of the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim leadership around the world. This distortion of history is what fuels the rabid insistence that Jerusalem is a Muslim City and Jews are the occupiers. (For a good statement of the facts watch this
brief video.)
Palestinian firebrands like Sheikh Salah and Shamekh Alawneh, and Sheik Tayseer Rajab fills the heads of their people with this deliberately counter-factual message so they will get the young people into the streets of Jerusalem throwing stones and participating in other forms of violence. The de-Judiaizing of Jerusalem is similar to the dehumanizing of Jews by the Nazis. If you effectively and persistently repeat the Big Lie you can distort the truth in the minds of millions.
In a recent
Wall Street Journal article, Bari Weiss points out that the Koran and other Muslim traditions acknowledge an ancient Jewish presence in Jerusalem:
The Koran, which references many biblical stories and claims figures like Abraham as Islamic prophets, also acknowledges the existence of the Jewish temples. The historian Karen Armstrong has written that the Koran refers to Solomon's Temple as a "great place of prayer" and that the first Muslims referred to Jerusalem as the "City of the Temple." Martin Kramer, a historian who has combed through Koranic references to the temples in Arabic, notes surra 34, verse 13, which discusses Solomon's building process: "They [jinn/spirits] worked for him as he desired, (making) arches, images, basins large as wells, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places)."
There is still more recent official Muslim acknowledgment of Jerusalem's Jewish history--a booklet put out in 1924 by the Supreme Muslim Council called "A brief guide to al-haram al-sharif." Al-haram al-sharif, the Arabic name for the Temple Mount, is currently the site of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa mosque. It is, according to Islamic tradition, where Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Yet it is also, according to the council's booklet, a site of uncontested importance for the Jews. "The site is one of the oldest in the world. Its sanctity dates from the earliest (perhaps from pre-historic) times. Its identity with the site of Solomon's Temple is beyond dispute." And the booklet quotes the book of Samuel: "This, too, is the spot, according to the universal belief, on which 'David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offering and peace offerings.'" Later, the booklet says the underground structure known as King Solomon's Stables probably dates "as far back as the construction of Solomon's Temple." Citing the historian Flavius Josephus, it claims the stables were likely used as a "place of refuge by the Jews at the time of the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus in the year 70 A.D."
Dr. Gerald Steinberg ends his article "Jerusalem: We win, you lose" in the Jerusalem Post with this important piece of advice to so-called peace-makers and funders of the Palestinians: "As long as the Arab and Muslim position slams the door to block Jewish history, Jerusalem will remain a battleground in which the Jewish nation will no choice but to use force when necessary to defend these rights."
With the recent statement by the Quartet (led by the Obama Administration) that the Palestinians should accelerate the establishment of institutions for governing based on the 1967 borders it is clear that the division of Jerusalem is on the agenda of the United states, Germany, Russia, ..etc. Now, more than ever, there is need to dedicate ourselves to promoting the truth about Jerusalem and its place in Jewish history. We must fight to set the record straight before the lies of Abbas, Arafat, and Muslim clerics become the public record.
In answer to the question, "What can I do?" let us offer a few suggestions. Urge as many people as you know to watch the film that states the facts about Jerusalem.
Also, encourage everyone to sign the One Jerusalem petition. This is a good way to make our voices heard and to stay informed. Act Today. The Clock is ticking against us.
As far back as I can remember I heard this a line none have yet quoted" the people of the distance sands brought too Solomon their tribute" These desert dwellers were refereed to as Arabs from beyond the Jordan river. The Romans invaded a Jewish kingdom, ruled bu a Jewish king. The Arabs invaded and fought a war with a Jewish army, lead by a Jewish king. As all conquers do, as they have done; they re-write the history they destroy the native peoples. So in my ignorant estimate, since 636 Islam has tried to wipe the Jewish face out of the Jewish state and it has not and it shall not happen. For the more they try too destroy the more they prove that Israel was and is first. This is my opinion; Whether one calls it Israel or Judea it is, was before and has stood ;it will stand as a Jewish homeland a beacon for real freedom for the Jewish people and the state of Israel.