As an American Jew, I sometimes feel a bit disconnected from popular opinion in Israel. And during the months that I have been living in the Land, I have been caught by surprise. Many of us in America, for example, have been told that the group lobbying for the rebuilding of the Temple is a very small, fringe group that does not reflect mainstream or even third-stream opinion in Israel. In reality, it’s a mixed bag, and you can’t always predict who favors the rebuilding of the Temple just based on their religious (or irreligious) background alone. But in any case, my experience, though anecdotal, suggests to me that in fact, there is momentum behind this movement, and not merely among the most religiously observant Jews.

Take, for example, a recent conversation I found myself in with a very secular Jewish man who owns his own business on a bustling street of Jerusalem. He is fluent in English, listens to American pop music, and does not even wear a kippah — but as he engaged in conversation with me about current affairs and the threats of the Islamic world, he waved his hand dismissively at the dangers and said to me, “Let them have whatever weapons they want. But,” he added, “let us have our Temple.” I leaned back in my chair and laughed, thinking he was joking! I was somewhat shocked to hear a secularist talking of a third Temple, much less wanting it to be the ultimate bargaining chip. But he shook his head. He wasn’t joking.

It’s difficult to know how widespread these kinds of sentiments really are, to be honest. But what is clear that there is a hardening of resolve among the Israeli people, in the face of an equally growing hatred for Israelis throughout the world.