[[{“value”:”In the aftermath of Israel’s dramatic victory in the Six-Day War, Israeli forces gained control of East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. General Moshe Dayan, Israel’s Defense Minister, made a controversial and far-reaching decision: to allow the Islamic Waqf to continue administrative control of the Temple Mount, while Israel maintained overall sovereignty.
This informal but impactful arrangement—often referred to as the “status quo”—allowed Muslims to pray on the mount, while Jews and Christians could visit but not pray. Dayan believed the compromise would prevent further religious conflict and signal that Israel had no intention of waging a religious war or changing Islamic holy places.
Though it brought short-term stability, Dayan’s decision remains highly controversial. Jewish groups have challenged the ban on prayer, while Muslim authorities have frequently accused Israel of threatening the site’s sanctity. The compromise essentially set the terms of access and control that continue to spark international debate to this day.”}]]. Read More in Israel NOWlej.
