I don’t think it’s the same. As frumnotyeshivish said, there are two parts to this – halachic and political. If your Rav holds it’s assur to go up, then don’t! But there are many big Rabbonim who hold that with the proper preparations, you can go on certain parts of the Har HaBayis. If you follow one of those Rabbonim, there is no reason not to go. Obviously you shouldn’t shop around for a heter!
The political question is a different one. My personal belief is that the Arabs claim it incites violence, but they’re really just looking for an excuse. If it wasn’t this, it would be something else. They want to kill Jews, plain and simple.