Sacred Spaces and Political Strife in Jerusalem

Sacred spaces are supposed to be a sanctuary that is completely separated from the profane world. The moment someone steps into a sacred space like a church, synagogue, or mosque, ideally they become free from political conflict, violence, and unrest. Jerusalem contains many sacred spaces unique to different religions but, unfortunately, politics play a large role in ownership and management of these sacred spaces. “Wherever there is political conflict over the organization of sacred space, it falls to the state to manage that organization” (23 Friedland & Hecht). State managed sacred space acts as a major hindrance to the space becoming a true sacred sanction. 

A couple sites in particular that have faced harm from either political violence, or religious groups acting profanely, are the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock. Muhammed was believed to have had his “night journey” at the Dome of the Rock, which is why the Muslims consider it to be a sacred space. Historically, different governments and profane groups like the Roman Empire and the Abuyyids have conquered Jerusalem and the Haram al-Sharif which is where the Dome sits, sanctioning the sacred space under political and profane power. In the modern world, the battle for these sites are between the Israelis and the Palestinians. These groups are not only using these sacred spaces to enhance their understanding of their religion, but they are using the spaces to gain leverage in political battles. “For Israelis and Palestinians, this site has been both a symbolic resource for political mobilization and a site for political struggle” (24 Friedland & Hecht). The political groups are taking advantage of the symbol the Haram al Sharif and the Dome of the Rock contain, and are misusing the significance of the structure. The structures should be a refuge from the political unrest, but instead it is used as a weapon for politics. 

Even the relocation of the United States embassy takes a sacred city like Jerusalem, and uses it for political gain. After 1980, “no nation had recognized Israeli sovereignty over any part of the city, which is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.” (O’Donnell 2018). Jerusalem has so much history and sacred symbolism, that almost any political move in or around Jerusalem disrupts the sacred space. Amidst the political turmoil, Jerusalem's sacred spaces stand as symbols of spiritual sanctuary, yet they remain entangled in the webs of geopolitical strife. Only by transcending these conflicts can their true sanctity be realized, reminding us of the importance to seek harmony amidst turmoil.

 Photo Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-destroy-explosive-device-found-at-israeli-embassy-in-sweden/

Citations

O’Donnell, Paul. “For Some, the US Embassy’s Move to Jerusalem Fulfills Divine Prophecy.” Religion News Service, 26 Aug. 2020, religionnews.com/2018/05/14/some-christians-and-jews-hail-embassy-move-to-jerusalem-as-key-to-a-biblical-plan/. 

Friedland, Roger, and Richard D. Hecht. “The Politics of Sacred Place: Jerusalem’s Temple Mount / al-Haram al-Sharif.” Sacred Places and Profane Spaces: Essays in the Geographics of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Greenwood Press, New York, NY, 1991, pp. 21–56.