NOT satisfied with the genocidal violence it has unleashed in Gaza, the current Israeli administration is doing all possible to attack the Palestinians’ religious and cultural sites in the occupied territories. In fact, the threats posed to the Al Aqsa mosque should send alarm bells ringing across the Muslim world. As reported by Middle East Eye, a joint US-Israeli scheme is apparently in the works to end Jordanian custodianship of the revered mosque in Jerusalem, in effect torpedoing the ‘status quo’. The plot is wrapped in the language of pluralism, intending to turn the mosque into a ‘multi-faith’ centre, effectively erasing its Islamic identity — long a Zionist dream. Though US officials have, on the record, expressed ignorance about the matter, the extremists populating the Israeli cabinet have made no secret of their desire to build the ‘Third Temple’, which would require demolition of the holy site. Elsewhere in occupied Palestine, such sinister plans are already in motion. For example, in Hebron, whatever limited Arab control had remained over the Ibrahimi mosque has been usurped by Israel.

What is underway is the creeping Judaisation of Palestine’s Islamic — and Christian — heritage. These moves are not about sharing mutually revered spaces, but erasing Muslim and Christian heritage from the holy land. It should also be remembered that it was Ariel Sharon’s provocative visit to Al Aqsa in 2000 that sparked the Second Intifada. If the Trump administration is serious about maintaining peace in the Middle East, it must publicly denounce all Israeli plans to seize Muslim sacred places in the occupied territories, including the planned removal of Jordanian custodianship of the Haram al-Sharif. The Zionists are playing with fire here. Along with ethnically cleansing the Palestinians, they are also setting the stage for a potentially horrific religious conflict. They must be prevented from setting the Middle East alight, and the US has a particular responsibility to stop these deplorable Israeli moves.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026