Women and the Holy City: The Struggle over Jerusalem's Sacred Space

The gendered dimensions of inter-communal disputes over sacred space in Jerusalem and other holy places have been neglected, and women's roles in these site-specific conflicts have been overlooked. This study looks at three contemporary women's movements in and around Jerusalem's Sacred Esplanade: Women for the Temple, The Murabitat, and Women of the Wall, to demonstrate how attention to gender and women's engagement in conflict over sacred places is essential for understanding what makes contested sacred sites increasingly indivisible for parties in the inter-communal context.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Jerusalem's Temple Mount, known as al-Haram al-Sharif, holds immense religious significance for Jews, ranking as the third holiest site for Muslims worldwide. However, the gendered dimensions of inter-communal disputes over sacred space in Jerusalem and other holy places have been largely overlooked, as have the roles of women in these site-specific conflicts. An implicit association of women with peaceful politics and syncretic religious practices has obscured the fact that women often play pivotal roles in inter-communal contests over holy places. This study examines three contemporary women's movements in and around Jerusalem's Sacred Esplanade: Women for the Temple, a Jewish Orthodox movement advocating for access to the Temple Mount; The Murabitat, Muslim women activists dedicated to safeguarding Al-Aqsa Mosque against Jewish claims; and Women of the Wall, a Jewish feminist mobilization against restrictive gender regulations at the Western Wall. By highlighting the importance of gender and women's engagement in conflict over sacred places, Lihi Ben-Shitrit underscores how understanding these dynamics is crucial in comprehending the increasing indivisibility of contested sacred sites within the inter-communal context.

Women for the Temple, a Jewish Orthodox movement, seeks to empower women to access the Temple Mount, which has been historically restricted to men. Founded in 2004, the movement has garnered significant attention and support from both Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as international organizations. Women for the Temple advocates for equal access to the site for all Jews, regardless of gender or religious affiliation. The movement believes that women's presence on the Temple Mount can contribute to promoting understanding and peace between different religious groups.

The Murabitat, on the other hand, is a Muslim women's activist group dedicated to protecting Al-Aqsa Mosque from Jewish claims and encroachment. The mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam and is located on the Temple Mount. The Murabitat has been actively engaged in protests and legal battles to prevent the construction of a Jewish temple on the site, which they believe would undermine the mosque's religious and historical significance. The group also advocates for women's rights and gender equality within the Muslim community.

Women of the Wall, a Jewish feminist mobilization, aims to challenge the restrictive gender regulations that govern women's access to the Western Wall, a sacred site in Jerusalem. The wall is a remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple and is considered a place of prayer and reflection for Jews worldwide. Women of the Wall organizes monthly prayer gatherings at the wall, where women pray aloud, read from the Torah, and sing traditional Jewish songs. The movement also advocates for women's rights, including the right.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108485470