AI video of Jewish Temple replacing Al-Aqsa sparks regional outcry

Qatar and Egypt condemn controversial AI-generated clip as "dangerous provocation" amid heightened tensions

An AI-generated video depicting the destruction of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and its replacement with a Jewish Temple has drawn fierce condemnation from Qatar and Egypt, further inflaming tensions in the region. The clip, created by the fringe Temple Mount Activists, shows the Dome of the Rock engulfed in flames before transforming into a temple with the Hebrew prayer Shema playing and the caption:“Next year in Jerusalem, messiah now.”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry denounced the video on April 19 as a “dangerous provocation,” warning it could escalate violence amid the ongoing Gaza war. The statement rejected any attempts to alter the status quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites and called for international intervention to hold Israel accountable. Egypt similarly condemned the video as inflammatory rhetoric, urging global action to prevent further destabilization.

The controversy follows recent clashes at the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary compound, where over 1,200 Israeli settlers entered under police protection during Passover, while Palestinians faced access restrictions. Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir further heightened tensions by leading Talmudic dances at Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque, a site frequently restricted to Muslims during Jewish holidays.

Qatar, which hosts Hamas leaders and operates Al Jazeera (banned by Israel and the PA), faced scrutiny after its defense minister deleted a post stating “We Are all Hamas.” The Temple Mount Activists have previously shared incendiary content, including a 2024 video titled “Coming soon in these days” showing Al-Aqsa in flames.

With Jerusalem’s holy sites remaining a tinderbox, the AI video has amplified fears of renewed conflict, underscoring how digital provocations can spill into real-world crises. Both Qatar and Egypt emphasized the need to safeguard Muslim and Christian holy sites, warning that such blatant provocations threaten regional stability.