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Proposed International Supervision of Jerusalem's Holy Sites Has a History of Failure

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Lenny Ben-David - France is calling for international observers on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. But the absolute failure of UN international supervisors tasked with overseeing Jerusalem's Jewish holy sites between 1949 and 1967 should serve as a warning. The UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) was established by the Security Council to be responsible for maintaining the Armistices after the 1948-49 fighting. The Armistice Agreements between Jordan and Israel, signed on April 3, 1949, called for "free access to the Holy Places and cultural institutions and use of the cemetery on the Mount of Olives." But there was no access to Jewish Holy Sites, particularly the Western Wall. Ancient Jewish synagogues in the Jewish Quarter were razed. The Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives was not only off limits to Jews, but the ancient cemetery was desecrated, with tombstones used as paving stones. The writer served as Deputy Chief of Mission at Israel's embassy in Washington.
2015-10-20 00:00:00
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