Home          Archives           Jerusalem Center Homepage       View the current issue           Jerusalem Center Videos           
Back

Israel's Islamic Movement in Holy Battle or Scam?


(Ynet News) Nechama Duek - About two months ago, Jerusalem municipality employees were stunned to discover 250 new tombstones in the ancient Muslim cemetery in the capital's Independence Park. Municipality employees removed 150 of the fictitious tombstones, most of which had nothing underneath them but weeds and dirt. The tombstones that doubled overnight in the Jerusalem cemetery is only one example of a wider trend. "Placing the tombstones there is part of the Islamic Movement's attempt to take over state-owned land," said Israel Land Administration Spokeswoman Ortal Tzabar. Islamic Movement activists are also demanding to reclaim the mosque in Caesarea - which is currently a restaurant; the mosque in Ashkelon - which has been converted into a museum; as well as additional mosques in Jerusalem and Tiberias, in addition to thousands of other sites. In certain cases, the activists simply take over a site; they fence it, paint the ruins and even reinstate prayer services. A brochure published by the Al-Aqsa Foundation stated: "The properties of the Muslim waqf are numerous and varied. Research shows that they are spread over an area equal to a sixth of the size of the State of Israel." Government consultant Dr. Yechiel Shavi says the Islamic Movement's struggle over holy sites "is part of an extensive campaign aimed at securing an Islamic-Palestinian foothold within the boundaries of the State of Israel."
2010-12-28 10:35:54
Full Article

Subscribe to
Daily Alert

Name:  
Email:  

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs

Name:  
Email: