Arab Media Cartoons Mock Israeli Capitulation Over Temple Mount Metal Detectors

TEL AVIV – Arab media from all over the world celebrated the removal of security measures at the Temple Mount and the subsequent return of Muslim pilgrims to the holy site by publishing cartoons poking fun at Israel for capitulating and saying the Jewish state acted out of fear. 

Last Tuesday, Israel removed the metal detectors in lieu of “security measures based on advanced technologies.” However, those too were removed Thursday morning and Palestinians hailed a victory by converging on the Temple Mount for afternoon prayers that day. The security measures were first installed following a July 14 terror attack in which Arab gunmen smuggled weapons onto the holy site and shot and killed two Israeli police officers.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Watan newspaper published a cartoon depicting the golden Dome of the Rock, which stands on the Temple Mount, with a hand making a “V for victory” sign adorning the top of the dome.

Cartoon published in London’s Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper, July 28, 2017. (Screenshot)

Fatah published another cartoon (below) showing Palestinian Christians and Muslims celebrating together in front of their respective holy sites while a dejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a security camera and boot hanging around his neck, drags away a metal detector. The irony of the cartoon is clearly lost on Fatah. After all, as well as being the holiest site in Judaism, the Temple Mount is also holy to Christians. Yet, as is also the case with Jews, Christians who visit the site are banned from praying – even under their breath – and from wearing or carrying Christian symbols such as the cross.

Elsewhere on social media, memes were being shared celebrating the Muslim return to the Mount. One depicted Abbas, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, dressed as militants and wielding machine guns, standing in front of the Dome of the Rock.