• The sacrifice of red bulls will pave the way for right-wing Israelis to demolish Al Aqsa Mosque.
• Israel’s slow strategy to take over Al Aqsa Mosque is to lead up to a sacrifice that could start Armageddon
On the 100th day of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida made an eye-opening proclamation in his listing of motives behind Hamas’s October 7th offensive. One of those motives was the bringing of ‘red cows’ to the Holy Land. To the average Israeli or Zionist, this may seem like just a religious stir or insult to the Jewish faith while pandering to ethnic Palestinian nationalism. However, the import of red cows is anything but an insulting jibe; rather, it outlines a situation that could put the Middle East in a state of havoc never before seen this century.
So what is the red cow, and what is its significance?
The cows Abu Obeida was talking about were red heifers. These cows are completely red, with not a single strand of white, grey, or black hair. These cows were imported from Texas by the hardline Israeli group, The Temple Institute. They were imported as pets to bypass a ban on US cattle in Israel and were imported in September 2022. Since then, they have been grazing in an undisclosed location in the occupied West Bank. So, what is it that makes these cows such a concern?
The sacrifice of the red heifer has its roots in the Torah and Talmud. Both of which are Jewish scriptures. It is believed that the ritual of sacrifice is used to purify the Jews so they can pray at the Al-Aqsa compound. According to reports, the sacrifice will take place in April on a plot of land that is facing the Al Aqsa Mosque. The sacrifice will involve the burning of the cows for the ashes to be used to purify Jews to be ready to enter the Al Aqsa compound. Numerous right wing Israeli groups believe that in order for Al Aqsa mosque to be demolished and the ‘third temple’ built in its place, the cows must be sacrificed in this way. Israel’s TV channel 12 News released an investigative report last year in August, with Israeli journalist Omri Maniv conducting the investigation. Maniv had argued that the Israeli government has shifted funds from other accounts for the purpose of preparing for the purification rituals and possibly the construction of the Third Temple. Many rabbis have forbidden their followers from going up to the Temple Mount because they are not in a state of ritual purity. Maniv also argued that the funds are being shifted quietly to not raise tensions internally with the Arab population. This may well be enough evidence that the Israeli government is preparing to support or even outright fund the demolition of the Al Aqsa mosque and help in the building of a temple to replace it.
A sign forbidding jews from entering the Al-Aqsa mosque compound because they are not in ‘ritual purity’, once the cows are sacrificed this mental barrier may be taken away for many Jews, threatening the Al Aqsa mosque
With the sacrifice expected in April of this year amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, it’s possible that the instability that this may cause in the region, if done, may be irreversible. It’s true that the majority of surrounding Muslim nations have done little to support Gaza and stop the genocide. Turkey, for instance, manages 40% of the oil reaching Israel yet has not used its leverage to pressure Israel for a ceasefire. Saudi Arabia itself is responsible for 13% of the world’s oil, yet it has not used it as leverage to pressure the international community for a ceasefire. However, the demolition of Al Aqsa is very different to the eyes of many Muslims from the genocide in Gaza. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. The Al-Aqsa Mosque has been under Muslim control for almost a thousand years and was first built under the orders of Umar ibn al-Khattab, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It was the first direction of prayer for the Muslims before the Kabah, and Muslims believe it was the location where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) led all of the prophets in prayer. For the mosque to be demolished, it will cause outrage in the Muslim world like never before this century. Governments and dictators across Muslim countries will have to face possible rioting and mass protests as a response to Israel’s decisions. The pressure on Muslim leaders to act will have reached a height that they may not be able to cope with. People from nations neighbouring Palestine may decide to attempt once again to storm the border fence to reach Palestine, as they did near the start of the genocide in Gaza. If bloodshed ensues on the border, it could lead to instability and possibly even revolutions in the countries neighbouring Palestine. One thing to note too is that within the occupied West Bank, Palestinians will likely also riot or protest in response, provoking a brutal crackdown by Israel that could add pressure on the international community to act to prevent another intifada from ensuing.
American evangelicals and their support
Many evangelical Christians in America believe that the red heifers due to be sacrificed will usher in a second coming of the messiah. At the recent national gathering for prayer and repentance in Washington, D.C., convened by Mike Johnson, US speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Rabbi Yitshak Mamo, the man who brought the heifers to the West Bank, was allowed to speak about the heifers without any backlash or criticism. This is one of many signs that even those in power in the United States share the view that the heifers should be sacrificed regardless of what it could mean as a result. After the sacrifice happens, it’s possible that right-wing groups that had previously been deterred from entering the Al Aqsa compound by Jewish rabbis may now feel emboldened to proceed with activities to demolish or desecrate it. Those in power hope to gain or maintain support from their base of Christian evangelical supporters, and by pandering to extremist Zionist views, it helps their case.
Bryon Sinson (right), a Texan who helped bring the Texan red heifers to the West Bank, speaks at an event in Washington, DC, on January 31, 2024.
Israel’s slow game of controlling the Al Aqsa compound
Before even half of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has finished, it has been reported that Israel has restricted Palestinians from accessing the Al Aqsa mosque and even beaten back Palestinians who have tried to access it. Last year, Israeli soldiers raided the mosque many times, using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse worshippers. In 2022, Israel also did the same in the month of Ramadan. In 2021, Israel had done it too, but provoked a response from Hamas that led to an 11-day mass bombardment of the Gaza strip. Al-Aqsa is located within east Jerusalem, Palestinian territory. According to international law, Israel should not have any jurisdiction within the area, nor should they be allowed to enter the compound when they deem fit. The custodians of the Al Aqsa mosque are Jordan, and it is indicative of the status quo set out by Jordan that Muslims have control over the mosque. This is something that has unfortunately been challenged many times by Israel, with Israeli police allowing Jews to pray in the compound under protection while increasing the freedoms Jews have when on site.
US-based Zionist Ben Shapiro visited the Al Aqsa mosque to perform prayers while boasting about the expansion of Israeli control
The recent genocide in Gaza, with limited international pressure to stop it, has emboldened right-wing activists to continue making illegal settlements and expanding on Palestinian land. The Al Aqsa mosque is seen as the heart of what’s left of Palestinian territory in the West Bank and, if demolished, will cause an uproar among Muslims worldwide. It’s possible that over the last few years, Israel’s raids of the mosque in Ramadhan and the Jewish-protected prayers were just Israel’s way of testing the waters of the international community and the Palestinian people on top of getting closer to taking full control of the mosque. It’s very plausible to believe that this was just preparation for the sacrifice and the events that could follow.
