Why did Israel willingly give up control of the Temple Mount / Al Aqsa? #israel #islam #politics
Unpacked
In the complex aftermath of the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel emerged victorious and took control of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, a site of profound significance in Jewish history, being the location of the ancient Jewish temples. Despite the long-standing Jewish aspiration to reclaim this sacred ground, Israel decided to relinquish administrative control to the Islamic Waqf, under Jordan's guidance, allowing Muslims to maintain the status quo. This decision was based on diplomatic, religious, and security considerations, reflecting a desire to avoid further escalation of regional religious tensions and to maintain peace by respecting Islamic custodianship while asserting Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem as a whole.