-by Protect Democracy
Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth appeared at a conference hosted by Israel’s Arutz Sheva (Channel 7) during the previous Trump presidency, at which he advocated for Israel to rebuild the Temple on the Temple Mount. Of course, doing so would involve destroying the structure that has been there for more than 1300 years, The Dome of the Rock, the oldest existing Islamic Shrine in the world. What could go wrong, other than likely starting a world war? Hegseth went so far as to imply that the Trump administration would “have their backs” if Israel embarked on such an insane adventure, saying they should, “…Buy the ticket, take your action!”
Arutz Sheva posted a video of Hegseth’s eleven minute speech in November of 2024, when it became apparent that he would be Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense. We’ve transcribed the last couple of minutes of the speech that includes his statements about rebuilding the Temple. Earlier in the speech Hegseth rejects that idea of a “two-state solution,“ and suggests extending Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria (The Occupied West Bank). Other major Israeli media outlets have covered this event and Hegseth’s speech here, here, here, here, and here. US media has completely ignored it.
Transcript of video from 9:00 - 11:23
[9:00] Today Jennifer and I and others had the chance to go see the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, the Western Wall tunnels, so much of the old city. And as you stand there you can’t help but behold the miracle before you. And it got me thinking about another miracle that I hope all of you don’t see too far away. Because 1917 was a miracle; 1948 was a miracle; 1967 was a miracle; 2017, the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital, was a miracle.
And there’s no reason why the miracle of the reestablishment of the Temple on the Temple Mount is not possible.
I don’t know how it would happen, you don’t know how it would happen, but I know that it could happen. That’s all I know. And a step in that process, a step in every process, is the recognition that fact and activities on the ground truly matter. That’s why going and visiting Judea and Samaria, understanding that sovereignty, the very sovereignty of Israel soil, Israeli cities, locations, is a critical next step to showing the world that this is the land for Jews and the land of Israel.
I believe, as was mentioned, he said you need to, what was mentioned is you need to buy the ticket. Don’t just wish for 40 years to win the lottery. Buy the ticket. I would submit to you in light of the support you have in Washington DC, the support you have amongst patriotic Americans, amongst Evangelical Christians, amongst believers, amongst Republicans, even amongst some Democrats who can barely say it anymore in Washington, buy the ticket, take your action, do what needs to be done here in Israel because I truly believe this is a moment where America will have your back. You have Donald Trump in the White House, you have Mike Pence as Vice President, you have Nikki Haley at the UN, you have true believers in Israel and America that have your back. So thank you for this honor, for this evening, Dr. Joe Frager, everyone here. God bless you and God bless the state of Israel. Thank you.
This is not a fire drill. Pete Hegseth poses a clear and present danger to American security, to Israel and the greater Middle East, and to peace efforts everywhere. Please contact your US Senators and make sure they are aware of the risk.
Comments