Majadle Justifies Destruction of Temple Remains

Arutz7 ^ | 11/14/07, | Gil Ronen

[Nachum]

(IsraelNN.com) The Israeli government's first Arab minister made it clear Wednesday that as far as the Temple Mount is concerned, Israeli sovereignty is nonexistent and Islam rules. The minister spoke in his official capacity as Minister of Science, Culture and Sport, from the Knesset podium, in response to a parliamentary question by MK Aryeh Eldad (NU/NRP) regarding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

MK Eldad's question referred to the unsupervised digging carried out by the Muslim authorities (the "Wakf") on the Temple Mount during the summer, by means of heavy machinery. "I received a series of photographs of digs on the Temple Mount near the Dome of the Rock," the parliamentary question read. "The police are present on the scene but there is no supervision by the Department of Antiquities regarding finds taken out of the digs and there is a serious concern that they could be destroyed by the Wakf. What will be done in the short term to stop the destruction of the remains of the Temple?"

Speaking before the Knesset plenum, Majadle replied that the digs carried out on the Mount were coordinated, accompanied and supervised by the Antiquities Authority. "I have worked in recent months to create understandings between the Antiquities Authority and the Islamic Wakf because I believe that this is the only way," he said.

Speaking from the plenum floor, MK Eldad asked Majadle pointedly: "Does Israeli law apply on the Temple Mount or does it not?"

Majadle answered: "In my opinion, certainly not." Eldad reminded him that in answering parliamentary questions he speaks for the entire government, but Majadle was unfazed: "I will say my opinion. Before I am a government minister I am first and foremost a person and a citizen and a Muslim. With all due respect for the law, the law was meant to respect the religion, the person and the citizen and protect him, and not the other way around, enslave him," he explained. "Therefore I say clearly: Al-Aksa, Al-Haram al-Sharif [as the Temple Mount is called by Muslims – ed.], cannot be under the authority of Israeli law."

Eldad interrupted him repeatedly, reminding him that he had sworn allegiance to the State of Israel and its laws, but Majadle insisted: "I hereby inform you, esteemed MK Eldad, that I may be a minister for one,

"I may be a minister for one, two or ten years but I was born a Muslim and a Muslim I shall die."

two or ten years but I was born a Muslim and a Muslim I shall die. I respect Israeli law... but if there is a contradiction between the law and my deep faith as a Muslim, I announce that I will know what to choose."

Immediately after this exchange, MK Eldad wrote to the Prime Minister demanding that Majadle be fired from the government. In addition, he asked the Attorney General to open a police investigation against him, on suspicion of breach of trust.

Majadle's response was to repeat, this time in writing: "I respect Jewish law and recognize the sensitive situation in the Temple Mount and act accordingly, but I believe as a Muslim that in times of peace the holy places must be outside of the political dispute. My opinion is that they must be administered according to religious laws and not be placed under any earthly sovereign."

[tet68]

My opinion is that they must be administered according to religious laws and not be placed under any earthly sovereign.”

Religious law = Shari’a

[Morgana]

So when are the Jews going to blow up that mosque and rebuild the Temple? This BS with the muslims is soooooo getting old!

[small voice in the wilderness]

They may not need to blow it up. If digging continues under the Dome, there is going to be one BIG golden-topped pothole soon enough.

[TheHound]

After much study of ancient texts, I have determined, if a Muslim pee's in a spot, that spot, is a Muslim holy spot in perpetuity. If for example, a Muslim were to inadvertently pee in a lavatory at the Vatican, the Vatican would then become a Masque forever. I believe, the right thing to do is to agree with this because it is a matter of religion (Islam) and therefore not subject to debate.

If you do not the humor in this statement, I hope you see the seriousness.

[Montana4Jesus]

If you think it through a little it is pretty clear why the Temple destruction is going on. Most of the antiquities that would be found will be from the time of Jesus and will most likely validate much of what the early new testament and Jewish historians recorded. The Jews in Israel don’t want that out and the Muslims certainly don’t want that out. They are systematically attempting to wipe away all remnant archeology that represents the time of Jesus to keep their own beliefs alive. IMHO

[Red_Devil 232]

"I will say my opinion. Before I am a government minister I am first and foremost a person and a citizen and a Muslim.

This is what he ment ...

"I will say my opinion. Before I am a person, a citizen, a government minister I am first and foremost a mohammedan.

[reagan_fanatic]

I'm really at a loss for words here. I find Israel's handling of this whole thing completely mystifying and illogical. No other religion in the world would just stand idly by and let its sacred ground and relics be so contemptuously trampled upon like this.

Incredible.