> If you want to talk about occupying, why is the al-aqsa mosque built where it was, if not for trying to erase native ties to the land?

The second temple was destroyed in 70 CE and the first Al Aqsa mosque was likely built in 600s. What is your argument here? Both religions share a common lineage so it's not unusual that Islam would revere the same location as an older religion with the same origin story.