IDF Brig. Gen. (ret.) Aryeh Eldad, a noted physician and former far-right MK, was profiled in this week’s Israel HaYom magazine. The lede says:
I think we must build the Temple on the Temple Mount and afterward we should remove the Dome of the Rock.
On the one hand, it’s not at all surprising that this long-time leader of the settler movement, and son of a key leader of the Jewish terror underground, Lehi should harbor such views. But it is surprising that Israel HaYom would offer him its lead story in the most-read Friday edition of the week. Especially on a week when Israel inched that much closer to full-scale religious confrontation.
Views which in the past were viewed as delusional or aberrant are now mainstream. There are those Israeli apologists who argue these views remain marginal. But that’s no longer true. Any fool can see that in terms of U.S. presidential politics. The unthinkable is not only thought, it’s made real.
Even if we never see an actual Third Temple, the views Eldad represents will inevitably lead somehow to a catastrophe of epic proportions. We Jews remember the destruction of two previous Temples. It’s entirely possible that the destruction of the Third Temple will be the death of the Israeli state. The alternative to destruction is an Israel which vanquishes its enemies in a Middle East transformed into a nuclear wasteland.
Eldad is a leading Israeli physician and burn specialist, internationally renowned in his field. Ironically, if he got his way and Israel did rebuild the Temple, there would be a great need for his medical services as the ensuing war would leave tens of thousands of dead and dying, including those with major burns.
When he was a Knesset member he chaired the ethics committee. My guess is that he doesn’t believe that ethics, as far as Israel is concerned, need concern itself with anything other than Jews.
On a related, satirical note, this article is a further sign that Sheldon Adelson’s newspaper has completely dumped Bibi Netanyahu. What was once a marriage made in heaven (or the other place) has turned into a rather ugly divorce. Adelson has already found his next political bashert, Naftali Bennett. Since its founding the paper has been known as Bibiton (“Bibipaper”). But I’ve devised a new moniker: Bennetton. Not to be confused with the Italian clothing retailer!
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For a visionary (or wistful) exactly opposite view of how Mashiach in a truly down-to-earh Messianic way will build the Third Temple, see a story called “The Last Tisha B’Av” by Rabbi Phyllis Berman and me at
Shalom, salaam —
Thank you. That was beautiful. And I hope to one day visit that synagogue in Safed.
Why are you surprised that Israel Hayom gave this fascist a soapbox to spout his bile from? After all, this is the Sheldon Adelson-owned rag, and is by far the most right-wing daily in Israel. That they are inciting for further violence at the end of this blood-soaked week is perfectly in line with who they are.
Regarding the fascist who graces Israel Hayom’s cover – he is the perfect example of what Yeshayahu Leibovich once called “Judeo-Nazis”. Had he lived in 1930’s Germany, he would have no problem whatsoever to become an SS man. Like his father, he is a pure Zionist fanatic.
He also happens to be a prominent surgeon in Israel. I would refuse to be treated by him, if I had the misfortune to be in need of his services, because there would be a very real possibility that he would intentionally botch my treatment if he found out I am leftist. Yup – he’s that vile!
Two days ago it was only 0.1% of Jews who cared about the place. Now it is mainstream.
Which one is it? You bend reality and facts to fit whatever you’re trying to say.
@ JCohen: Since when is a minority of a minority “mainstream?” It isn’t. I would estimate that perhaps 2% of Israeli Jews are willing to believe this swill. Mainstream? Hardly. But if it does become mainstream this is precisely what I fear the most. For if that happens Israel is doomed.
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“Views which in the past were viewed as delusional or aberrant are now mainstream. ”
Your words
@Daniel: in the context of a post about a magazine profile in Israel’s most popular paper, that is what I meant by “mainstream.”
But as I said if his ideas become so absorbed into the mainstream that Israel destroys the Dome of the Rock or rebuilds the Temple or expels Palestinians, then the State will be hefker, forfeit & will destruct or self destruct.
Hello administrator,
I left some comments, please approve them, I want a dialogue about the Temple Mount,
@ Khaleel: Read the comment rules. You can’t post false statements, opinions unsupported by credible facts, or Islamophobia here. If you do the comments will not be published. This is not a site meant to derogate any religion, whether Judaism or Islam. If that’s your agenda, you belong somewhere else.
You are not seeking a “dialogue.” You’re seeking a monologue spewing hate against Islam. And I won’t offer you a platform.
[Comment deleted: Islamophobia is completely unacceptable here.