Far-right Israelis enter Al-Aqsa compound

[azurnoir]

Jerusalem – Ma’an – Israeli police allowed 45 far-right Israelis to tour the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem in what Palestinians viewed as a provocation.

The settler group visited the area marking Ninth of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar, which is observed in commemoration of the destruction of the first and second Jewish Temples, which once stood underneath where the Al-Aqsa Mosque now stands.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=213847

[GoesTo11]

1. It's quite a coincidence

that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is built in exactly the same place as the Jewish temple stood.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Actually, it isn't in the same place, according to archeological evidence

Crazy religion with animal sacrifices to a blood thirsty god that didn't lift a finger to help during the Holocaust. I was hoping we outgrew these ancient and cruel beliefs.

Feb 7, 2007 23:28 | Updated Feb 12, 2007 9:05

Archeologist: Ancient cistern proves location of Second Temple
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS

An Israeli archeologist said Wednesday that he has pinpointed the exact location of the Second Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.

The site identified by Hebrew University archeologist Prof. Joseph Patrich, based on the study of a large underground cistern on the Temple Mount and passages from the Mishna, places the Temple and its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates in a more southeasterly and diagonal frame of reference compared to previous studies.

Patrich based his research, which is about to be published, on a study of a large underground cistern on the Temple Mount that was mapped by British engineer Sir Charles Wilson in 1866 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund, along with passages from the Mishna.

<snip>

These considerations led Patrich to place the Second Temple further to the east and south than earlier thought, and at a southeasterly angle relative to the eastern wall of the Temple Mount, and not perpendicular to it, as earlier assumed.

Patrich said that his research indicates that the rock over which the Dome of the Rock was built in the 7th century CE is actually outside the confines of the Temple.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1170359807477&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull