Jewish group starts slaughtering red cows at Al-Aqsa to fulfill prophecy

Right-wing Israeli groups have reportedly begun sacrificing red heifers in hopes of fulfilling a Jewish prophecy, which could intensify calls for the demolition of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the construction of a Third Temple in its place.

According to Jewish tradition, the ashes of a flawless red heifer are necessary for the ritual purification required to build a Third Temple in Jerusalem’s Old City, specifically on the Temple Mount.

This picture taken on April 27, 2023 shows red heifer cows imported from the US by the Boneh Israel ("Building Israel") organisation, feeding at a farm in Hamadya near the northern city of Beit Shean. With imported red cows, ancient hymns and growing support, some nationalist Jews hope to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem's Old City, at a site at the heart of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) — Red heifers imported from the US feed at a farm in Hamadia, Israel, near the northern city of Beit Shean in April 2023 [File: Jack Guez/AFP]

Media reports indicate that a Jewish Third Temple group recently carried out the first sacrifice in what is expected to be a series of such rituals in the coming weeks.

It should be noted that five red heifers were brought from a Texas ranch to Israel in 2022.

Some Jewish groups believe that the Third Temple should be established on the elevated plateau where the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock currently stand. Since the Romans destroyed the Second Temple, which was located on the Temple Mount, in AD 70, this is the first time in 2,000 years that a perfect red heifer has been identified.