Palestinians are warning of threats by Israeli religious extremists and Christian Zionists to demolish the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, making way for the Third Jewish Temple.

The anti-government protests in Israel may seem like a struggle between the Ashkenazi elite and ultra-orthodox for influence. But at a deeper level, the protests reflect the unresolved issue of Israel’s identity.

Temple Movement activists are trying to enter the Aqsa compound to slaughter goats and challenge the Muslim presence in the holy site. Palestinian worshippers remaining in the mosque during Ramadan are resisting.

Itamar Ben Gvir wants to normalize Jewish worship at the Al-Aqsa compound as a precursor to full Israeli control over the holy site, much like Baruch Goldstein’ massacre at the Ibrahimi Mosque brought full Israeli control over that part of Hebron.

It is hardly farfetched to assume that the al-Aqsa compound might suffer the same fate — where a particularly violent set of events would facilitate further Israeli takeover.