In Defence of Al-Aqsa: The Islamic Movement and battle for Jerusalem

Mick Dumper and Craig Larkin

This paper examines the growing involvement of the Islamic Movement (IM) of Israel in Jerusalem, both in terms of rhetorical discourse and specific facts on the ground. It explores how the ‘Al Aqsa’ mosque has been employed, particularly by the leader of the IM’s Northern Branch, Shaykh Ra’id Salah  as a symbol for political empowerment; a site for public contestation (Waqf authority and Israeli excavations digs) and a focus for religious renewal (local piety, activism and tourism). Yet how significant and far reaching is the Islamic movement’s impact within Jerusalem and amongst the local Palestinian inhabitants? Should their presence be perceived as a growing ‘strategic threat’ (Israeli 2008, Seener 2008), part of an ‘Islamizing’ trend (Klein, 2008) or rather a consequence and culmination of weak local leadership, political intransigence, the failure of secular authority and the unintended consequences of the separation Wall and the non-recognition of the Hamas government? Following an examination of a number of IM initiatives and arenas of contestation between the IM and the Israeli state, this paper concludes by attempting to delineate the extent of its impact on the city and its politics.

Publications:

M. Dumper & C. Larkin. 2009. Political Islam in Contested Jerusalem: The Emerging Role of Islamists from within Israel. Conflict in Cities Working paper n. 12