MR SHARON, TEAR DOWN THOSE MOSQUES on Temple Mt.!!!
We ought to apply our Crusading enthusiasm to more productive ends. Some acceptance of coexistence might be a plus.
[Templars] who BTW wanted to rebuild the Temple, so they would agree with me when I say: MR SHARON, TEAR DOWN THOSE MOSQUES on Temple Mt.!!!
The Templars did not want to tear down the mosque - they could have, it was in their control. Instead they occupied it and used it as a church. The Templars did not believe that any Jewish place of worship should be allowed in Jerusalem.
It was while they were occupying the mosque that the Templars seem to have picked up strange beliefs. When they went back to Europe, it was them who were accused of worshipping some "head" in their secret meetings. This is either a libel against them, or some reference to their secret rites.