Today, the Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is ground zero in this worsening conflict. Public figures on the other side, like Israeli Knesset member Yehuda Glick, are doing a lot to stoke this tension. As a fierce advocate for Jewish access to the sacred site, Glick has devotedly fought against the rules that regulate access to this highly sensitive space, sacred to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. His pronouncements have already sparked furious debates about religious liberties and land ownership. These conversations examine how such access affects relationships between religions.
Jews consider the Temple Mount to be the holiest site in Judaism, as the location of two ancient temples. Rome’s destruction of the second temple almost 2,000 years ago. For Muslims, the site is of the utmost importance. It is widely known as the spiritual center of Islam where it is thought that Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven during his night journey from Mecca. As its importance has grown, tensions over access to this elusive compound have continued to not only persist but escalate in recent years.
One of Glick’s major aims is to increase the Jewish presence at the Temple Mount. This position has drawn fire too, notably from Palestinian authorities and Muslim leaders. When he does visit this compound, they’re usually called provocative, increasing tensions in an extremely incendiary context. Contemporary arguments over access to this sacred place include historic religious interests. Secondly, these conflicts are superimposed over the complex political landscape in the region.
Yehuda Glick and His Controversial Advocacy
Yehuda Glick has become a key totem for all that is wrong with Israel’s religious extremism. His aggressive campaigning for changes in access regulations to the Temple Mount have made him a highly controversial figure. Glick, an activist whose work earned him enemies in high places, survived an assassination attempt in 2014 that he credits to his advocacy.
“And he point-blank shot four bullets to the centre of my heart.” – Yehuda Glick
His steely resolve is an example of a growing insurgency within parts of Israeli society. These activists are working to increase awareness of the Jewish right to pray at the Temple Mount. Glick knows that Jews have the right to pray at this historically important location. His position really cuts against that muscle memory that’s developed over decades.
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich, the rabbi of the Western Wall, provides another view. He claims that accessing the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque site goes against Jewish religious law. This gap in understanding highlights the challenges of the religious interpretations that dictate access to the most religiously significant site in the world.
Rising Tensions and Increased Access
The atmosphere turned explosive in 2021 after clashes erupted violently after an Israeli police raid of the compound. According to Palestinian authorities, more than 33,000 Jewish extremists have “invaded” the site since January 2025. Yet this recent spike of law enforcement activity has increased fear, anger and resentment within local Muslim communities.
The prevailing narrative is that it’s a victory for the Israeli government — they are now in control over access to the Temple Mount. Muslim officials have raised alarms that they are losing control over who can enter this sacred enclosure to non-Muslims. Muhammad Al-Ashab, a spokesman for the Jerusalem Waqf, responded to these developments. He said that prayer has turned into a “proxy for a takeover” of the complex.
“It’s a mosque for Muslim prayers only … and not for sharing,” – Muhammad Al-Ashab
This opinion is echoed by other Muslim leadership. They claim that whenever Jews attempt to rise to the Temple Mount, they are essentially trespassing and violating Palestinian people’s rights under international humanitarian laws.
“It is illegal for the occupying force to expel the local population … from where they pray or live. This is contrary to humanitarian and international law.” – Muhammad Hussein
Government Policies and Implications
The political landscape surrounding access to the Temple Mount has shifted significantly with Itamar Ben Gvir’s rise as Israel’s far-right national security minister. Ben Gvir’s oversight of police operations has intensified scrutiny over how these forces manage incidents at the compound.
Yehuda Glick asserts that there is an ongoing effort by Israeli authorities to balance freedom of worship for all while preventing friction between different religious groups. He contends that many of these disputes are caused by a lack of understanding of how worship is conducted.
“There’s an effort, a major effort by the Israeli police and by the Israeli authorities to, on the one hand, allow freedom of worship for everybody and at the same time make sure there’s no friction.” – Yehuda Glick
Muslim leaders contend that these policies heavily favor Jewish worshippers. This puts Palestinian Muslim communities further on the margins and raises alarm for their security while praying at their holy site.
