In January 2001, the then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, sent his first letter to the new President of the United States, George W. Bush, as a basis for creating a relationship with the new administration in Washington. In the letter he defined the unchangeable conditions in Israeli position in the negotiations with the so-called "Palestinians". Barak's most important condition was that "the Temple Mount is the cradle of Jewish history and there is no way that I will sign any document which transfers Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount to the Palestinians. For Israel this would be a betrayal of her Holy of Hollies."

Statement by the Chief Rabbi of Israel: "I cannot imagine that somebody would agree to a partnership in the holy places of Israel."

Also in January 2001 the Chief Rabbi of Israel stated that he could not imagine that there was any official body in Israel which would be ready to suggest even some sharing of the sovereignty, whether in total or in part, of the holiest place of Israel. "This is absolutely and unimaginably absurd. It is beyond comprehension. The Temple Mount and the Western Wall are nobody's private property. A nation which does not respect their past, their heritage and their roots has no right to shape dreams and plans for their future."

Rabbi Lau was responding to reports which gave the impression that there is Israeli readiness to allow special control or common sovereignty over the Old City of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. "This is an absolutely unsuitable and impractical suggestion. Even the mere consideration of it is painful and awakes all one's instincts against it."