The Temple Mount is a hill located in the Old City of Jerusalem that has been venerated as a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for thousands of years. It is the site of a large mosque compound known as Al-Aqsa or al-Aqsa mosque compound, known honorifically as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf. The Temple Mount refers to the elevated plaza above the Western Wall in Jerusalem that was the site of both of Judaism’s ancient temples. The first temple was built by King Solomon and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The second temple was built in the sixth century BCE and stood for nearly 600 years before it was destroyed and the Jewish people exiled in 70 CE by the Roman Empire. The mount is also the site where Abraham demonstrated his devotion to God by taking his son Isaac to be sacrificed.

The Temple Mount is considered the holiest site in Judaism and is where the First and Second Holy Temples once stood. For Muslims, the Temple Mount is known as the Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) and is the site of Muhammad’s ascent to heaven in the seventh century. Today, the mount is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, and the gold-topped Dome of the Rock, one of the most recognized symbols of Jerusalem.

The Temple Mount has a long and complex history, with significant religious and historical importance for each of the Abrahamic faiths. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel and many other rabbinic authorities prohibit Jews from visiting the Temple Mount for religious reasons pertaining to concerns about purity and desecration of the site’s sanctity. Israel maintains security over the Temple Mount through a combination of measures, including physical barriers, checkpoints, and security personnel such as the Israel Police and Border Police.