Arab cartoons mock Temple Mount capitulation

Arab-language media around the world celebrated the removal of security measures at the Temple Mount, and the return of Muslims to pray there, with cartoons mocking the Israel’s perceived capitulation.

Early on Thursday Israel took down the last of a series of security installations it had erected at entrances to the holy site, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), following a July 14 terror attack in which assailants used guns smuggled into the compound to kill two policemen guarding near there.

One cartoon published in Saudi Arabia’s Al Watan newspaper depicted the golden Dome of the Rock, which stands on the Temple Mount, with the crescent that caps the dome replaced by a raised hand making a “V for victory” sign.

Cartoon published in London’s Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper, July 28, 2017. (Screenshot)

The London-based al-Quds al-Arabi paper showed a hook-nosed Israeli soldier carrying a metal detector being shooed away from the Temple Mount by an old man with a cane, a young man with a rock, a woman with a broom and a boy with a slingshot.

Cartoon published in Jordan’s Al-Rad newspaper, July 28, 2017. (Screenshot)

A cartoon from Jordan’s Al-Rad newspaper depicted a huge, bloodied foot breaking free of its star of David chains and about to crush a screaming Israeli soldier.

On social media, memes were being shared celebrating the fact that Muslims returned to pray at the Temple Mount on Thursday for the first time in 11 days.

Cartoon published in Arab language social media, July 28, 2017. (Screenshot)

One cartoon showed a man bowing in prayer on the ground near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and being hugged in return by the flagstones.

Another meme showed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, dressed as militants with machine guns, standing next to a silhouetted Dome of the Rock.