Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement
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The Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) Faithful Movement (followers are called the "Temple Mount Faithful") is an Orthodox Jewish movement based in Israel that wishes to re-establish the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and re-institute the practice of ritual sacrifice. It was founded by former Israel Defence Forces officer and Middle Eastern Studies lecturer Gershon Salomon.
Their aim is supported by only a small minority of the Israeli public. There has been no Jewish Temple since the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. On the site, called by the Jews Temple Mount, now stands two Islamic holy sites, the Dome of the Rock shrine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which Islam holds to be the place where Muhammad was taken to Heaven to meet God. The Temple Mount Faithful propose these be moved to the Muslim holy city of Mecca to facilitate the construction of a new Temple; this has been the cause of some controversy. The movement has been forbidden to ascend on the Temple Mount on a number of occasions out of fear they would spark clashes with the Muslims, particularly during the Al-Aqsa Intifada; they have complied with the prohibitions.
