Pullan, Wendy. “‘Bible and Gun: Militarism in Jerusalem’s Holy Places.” Space and Polity 17.3 (2013): 335-356.
URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13562576.2013.853490
Abstract
Violence is a regular occurrence at many of Jerusalem’s holy sites. Ongoing civilian clashes play a role, but official modes of control through the Israeli army (IDF) and Border Police, as well as more informal private security operations are often involved. Such militarisation may keep violent upheavals in check, but it is carried out within the framework of a long and harsh occupation. The two sites considered here—the Western Wall in the Old City and Rachel’s Tomb on the border of Jerusalem and Bethlehem—each have a history of war and are fixtures of the occupation. This study explores the mechanisms that embed religious and militaristic meanings at each site. In so doing, certain questions are addressed. Firstly, how are the sites being constructed and used as popular and dramatic settings for certain constituents to promote religious militarism/militarised religion in Jerusalem? In which ways do these characteristics act to intertwine with the religious and militaristic aspects of the sites, making them more extreme but also, in some circles, more attractive? And finally, how do these sites contribute to the character of Jerusalem, both in their own construction and image but also in the roles they play within the wider urban topography?
Define “occupation” regarding Temple Mount?
By Waqf superintendents or Israeli police?
If Temple Mount is truly Al-Aqsa, was it the furthest ruin? I doubt it!
“Occupation” is a standard term for the areas conquered by Israel in 1967 and never annexed by it. Israel has never made an attempt to annex it and its residents have not been naturalized. The term is not without its problems of accuracy, but is widely recognized and thus hte reference in the abstract is comprehensible.
Other than that, the Bulletin Board is intended for information on current research, not for the political debate you are alluding to.