Please Share With Trump Team: Transfer Al-Aqsa To Saudi Control

Please Share With Trump Team: Transfer Al-Aqsa To Saudi Control
Dr. Aaron Lerner 7 December 2024

Dear Reader: If you have connections with anyone in the Trump team, I urge
you to share this message with them..

“Al Aqsa Is In Danger” is the rallying cry for those seeking to destroy the
Jewish State.

Transferring custodianship of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Saudis, as detailed
below, would silence that call in much of the Sunni world. A world getting
ever stronger as developments in Syria now illustrate.

After all, if the Saudis realize their dream of adding Al-Aqsa to the two
holiest sites of Islam already under their control, it would be an INSULT TO
THE SAUDIS to continue with the claim that “Al Aqsa Is In Danger”!

It’s time to think out of the box for a dramatic development which both
enhances regional stability and facilitates Saudi diplomatic recognition of
Israel without this being tied to measures toward the establishment of a
sovereign Palestinian state.
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Proposal: Transferring Custodianship of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the
Rock to Saudi Arabia

Introduction

The custodianship of the Haram al-Sharif, encompassing the Al-Aqsa Mosque
and Dome of the Rock, has traditionally been managed by the Jordanian Waqf.
However, Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to oversee Islamic holy sites offers an
opportunity to address regional tensions, improve security, and redefine the
boundaries of the site. This transition could benefit all stakeholders by
enhancing management practices, depoliticizing the site, and introducing
clarity on the status of its various areas. Importantly, a Saudi-led
custodianship could also accommodate Jewish religious needs by recognizing
that the broader plaza is distinct from the mosque itself, opening
possibilities for shared use.

Advantages of Saudi Custodianship

1. Enhanced Security and Transparency:
. Saudi Arabia’s experience managing the Two Holy Mosques
(Mecca and Medina) demonstrates its ability to implement state-of-the-art
security measures, including 24/7 video surveillance, crowd control, and
AI-based monitoring.
. These measures would reduce incitement and ensure public
safety, with live broadcasts increasing transparency.
2. Depoliticization of the Site:
. Unlike Jordan, Saudi Arabia is less aligned with Palestinian
factions and could better manage the site as a religious, rather than
political, entity.
. This approach minimizes the potential for the site to serve
as a platform for incitement or conflict.
3. Delineating Sacred and Non-Sacred Areas:
. Saudi custodianship could formally distinguish between:
. Sacred areas: The Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock
structures, which remain exclusively under Saudi management for Islamic
worship.
. Non-sacred areas: The broader plaza, which is not part of
the mosque itself but a general-use area.
. This distinction allows for Jewish prayer and structures in
the plaza without conflicting with Islamic religious rules, as the plaza
would not be considered part of the mosque.
4. Opportunity for Jewish Prayer and a Synagogue:
. By redefining the non-sacred plaza as a shared space, Jewish
religious activities, including prayer, would be acceptable without
violating Islamic sensibilities.
. The establishment of a Jewish structure, such as a synagogue
in the plaza, could be accommodated as it would not infringe on the sanctity
of the mosque.
5. Saudi Leadership and Influence:
. Custodianship would reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a
leader in the Muslim world and a stabilizing force in the region, enhancing
its credibility in managing interfaith coexistence.

Proposed Framework for Custodianship Transition

1. Redefining Boundaries

. The Haram al-Sharif would be divided into:
1. Sacred Areas:
. The physical Al-Aqsa Mosque building and the Dome of the
Rock would remain exclusively Islamic spaces, managed by Saudi Arabia.
2. Non-Sacred Areas:
. The surrounding plaza, which has been used for recreational
activities and general access, would be designated as a shared-use space.
. This designation would allow for Jewish prayer and
potentially the construction of a synagogue or other Jewish religious
structures without conflicting with Islamic custodianship of the sacred
areas.

2. Compensation for Jordan

Saudi Arabia could offer a comprehensive compensation package to ensure
Jordan’s support for the transition:

a. Financial Aid and Investment

1. Direct Aid:
. A multi-year aid package to support Jordan’s economy, such
as $1 billion over five years.
2. Debt Relief:
. Assistance in restructuring or paying off Jordan’s national
debt.
3. GCC Integration:
. Support Jordan’s deeper integration into the Gulf
Cooperation Council, including economic and trade benefits.

b. Symbolic and Religious Recognition

1. Honorary Role:
. Jordan retains the title of “Guardian of Jerusalem’s Islamic
Holy Sites”, preserving its historical connection.
2. Joint Oversight:
. Establish a Saudi-Jordanian council to oversee cultural and
restoration projects, ensuring Jordan maintains a visible role.

3. Security and Management by Saudi Arabia

. Saudi Arabia would implement advanced security measures,
including:
. 24/7 video surveillance and live broadcasting to increase
transparency and prevent unrest.
. Clear policies for shared use of the plaza to avoid
conflicts between Muslim and Jewish visitors.
. Coordination with Israeli security forces to ensure smooth
operations.

4. Religious and Cultural Access

. Jewish and non-Muslim visitors would have guaranteed access
to the non-sacred plaza areas, where religious activities, including Jewish
prayer, would be permitted.
. The establishment of a synagogue within the non-sacred area
could symbolize interfaith coexistence without infringing on the sanctity of
the mosque or Dome of the Rock.

Implementation Steps

1. Negotiations:
. Conduct trilateral negotiations involving Saudi Arabia,
Jordan, and Israel to finalize the transition framework.
2. Boundary Mapping:
. Use Saudi leadership to clearly delineate the sacred and
non-sacred areas, ensuring shared use is acceptable under Islamic law.
3. Security Deployment:
. Implement Saudi-led security protocols, including monitoring
systems and crowd control measures.
4. Compensation Rollout:
. Begin disbursing financial and symbolic benefits to Jordan
as part of the agreement.
5. Public Announcement:
. Frame the transition as a step toward improving the
management and accessibility of the holy sites for all faiths, with Saudi
Arabia emphasizing its commitment to interfaith harmony.

Conclusion

Transferring custodianship of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock to
Saudi Arabia offers a unique opportunity to enhance security, depoliticize
the site, and redefine its boundaries to enable shared use. By
distinguishing sacred areas from the broader plaza, Jewish prayer and even a
synagogue could be accommodated without violating Islamic rules. A robust
compensation package for Jordan ensures its agreement and preserves its
symbolic connection to the holy sites. With careful negotiation, this
proposal could strengthen regional stability, foster interfaith coexistence,
and solidify Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Muslim world.
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IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Source: https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74284