Israel had hoped that Jordan would not join the Arab forces against them in 1967. It was not to be; their artillery opened fire on Israel. Israeli paratroopers fought with small arms in the Old City. They were ordered to use no artilley, which could damage Holy Shrines.
Although Israeli Jews and Christians were barred from both the Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the twenty years of Jordanian rule, Israel immediately opened access to all. Administrative control of the Temple Mount, upon which sits the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque, were immediately given to the Jordanian Waqf (Islamic Trust).
The Wailing Wall is the Western Wall of the Mount, which is considered the closest and only remnant of the Second Jewish Temple, and is the holiest site in Judaism. No matter where in the world, all Jews have always prayed facing Jerusalem and the Wall.
On May 30, 1967, Jordan entered into the "mutual defense pact" between Egypt and Syria.
ReplyDeleteEgypt mobilized Sinai units, crossing UN lines (after having expelled the UN border monitors) and mobilized and massed on Israel's southern border.
Likewise, armies in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan also mobilized, encircling Israel for an imminent coordinated attack.
Thank you Mr. Molovinsky,
ReplyDeleteI realize that we will agree to disagree. I find your last two articles laced in generalities and quite honest very offensive to me. A few of the facts, like regarding the Phalanges, were taken very much out of context.
Whether you wanted to make me look like a jerk or not, you have succeeded in making me look like an unfeeling and animalistic "terrorist."
Previously, I just wanted to express another side. But unfortunately, you didn't allow me and jumped down my throat.
Forgive me for trying to have an open discussion even though the matter was pretty offensive to me.
Thank you again. I will not be commenting any further.
Alex Joseph
Washington, D.C.
alex, i replied to your comment on the previous moshe dayan post before i read this more recent comment by you here. again it is not my intention to offend you, or portray you in an unfavorable light. i don't find it odd that we view israeli history differently, that is almost to be expected. i wrote about the phalanges in reply to your comment about sharon killing innocent civilians, i think it was a relevant response. i'm no expert on the middle east, but i did study in jerusalem. again, i'm sorry you're offended. be well.
ReplyDelete