Tensions rise over Jerusalem's holy site

Muslims and Jews will visit the same holy site of prayer.

Keeping the peace between two heated groups at Jerusalem's holy site is an important job. For the Muslims, it is the Noble Sanctuary; for the Jews, it is the Temple Mount. As the Jews and Israelis continue to clash, there is a need for watching the groups as they both enter the compound.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "There is indeed a worsening in the past few years as to what happens at Temple Mount. This is a fact. No one disagrees. You can see it in the numbers," said Yossi Farenti, then Jerusalem District Police Chief, last year.

He had reported the increase of the number of Jews visiting the site by 27 percent to the Internal Affairs Committee of the Israeli Parliament. For the nationalists, this is an alarming situation considering the former strict prohibitions of non-Muslim prayers at the site.

In 2007, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel made a declaration banning Jews from the site, stating that it is too holy. However, there is an observed growth in support of radicalism, allowing Jews to go to Temple Mount and do their prayers, as compared to the rarity during the era of strong nationalist sentiments.

These movements are provided support by nationalist, secular supporters and from high-profile politicians, according to Yahoo! News.

Hundreds of organized Jews will arrive and say their prayers at the holy site, which is deemed an insult by the Muslims. About 70 guards were hired by the Waqf organization, an Islamic trust, in overseeing the temple and its compound.

The group is feeling the slow loss of their exclusive control over the third holiest site for the Islamic faith. "They want to change the rules," said a Waqf guard, Murad Hamad, reflecting the sentiments.

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