(OPINION) Israelis from the Left and Right, religious and secular, collectively sighed with relief and overwhelmingly rejoiced in Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris to assume the presidency after a devastating year of war.

In honor of his inauguration, nothing could be more Jewish than giving thanks to God in Judaism’s most sacred site, the Temple Mount.

I quickly called a few friends and organized an impromptu prayer service – a unique gathering of Jews and Christians that is uncommon here in Israel.


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Moreover, under the so-called “status quo” agreement that grants exclusive prayer rights to Muslims, it was actually illegal for Jews and Christians to pray on the Temple Mount.

Defying these restrictions felt particularly meaningful as we ushered in a new era and celebrated Trump’s win. But that wasn’t even the most significant aspect of the unprecedented event.

The most important aspect of our prayer service was that it came on the heels of the ceasefire in Gaza, perhaps the end of Israel’s longest war.

While the IDF named this war the “Swords of Iron Operation,” Hamas, who planned their attack years ago, gave it a different and much more appropriate name: “The Al-Aqsa Flood,” referencing the mosque that now stands on the Temple Mount.

For Hamas and their supporters, the war’s objective was unambiguous: pushing the Jews out not just from the river to the sea, but specifically from the very site that gives us our legitimacy here.

Their explicit goal was to “liberate Al-Aqsa” from the “infidel” Jews.

Early in the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a goal of “total victory” against Hamas.

Recent images from Gaza since the ceasefire show Hamas remains strong despite infrastructure damage, challenging claims of Israeli victory. But our enemy’s name for this operation points to where true victory must be achieved: not in Gaza, but on the Temple Mount.

In recent months, a telling anecdote spread about an IDF soldier returning from Gaza.

When his relieved mother asked what he wanted to do first, he said he needed to buy a picture of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) for his bedroom. Surprised, she asked if he wouldn’t prefer a shower or his favorite food. FULL REPORT

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    End Time Headlines is a Ministry that provides News and Headlines from a "Prophetic Perspective" as well as weekly podcasts to inform and equip believers of the Signs and Seasons that we are living in today.

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