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Netanyahu: No Change in Status Quo at Tomb of the Patriarchs

(Prime Minister's Office) Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday discussed the inclusion of the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb in Israel's national heritage plan. Some elements in the international system mistakenly think that this is a diplomatic decision, a political decision. In fact, it is neither. It seeks to preserve a heritage that has existed with us for close to 4,000 years. We are not determining anything new. The Patriarchs of the Jewish People, our forefathers, are buried there. This is an existing fact. We will not decide otherwise and it is absurd to think so. Neither are we overlooking the Islamic context there. We are simply seeing to it that there are proper conditions for Jewish and Muslim worshippers alike. There is an international desire to maintain heritage sites, to preserve them. But our intention is not to change the existing arrangements at all. This issue needs to come off the agenda. Apparently, there has been a misunderstanding because there is no intention here - and no plan - to alter the status quo. We will maintain freedom of worship and strengthen the existing arrangements for Jewish and Muslim worshippers alike. The Islamic Waqf carried out some repair and maintenance work at the Islamic prayer sites. For example, they installed fans in the main prayer hall. They installed chandeliers. They brought in rugs. They repaired the floor in the entranceway to the prayer room. They repaired the roof and painted a mosque for women. These repairs were appropriate. They were done in coordination with us and we want to do the same maintenance and preservation work for Jewish worshippers. The Tomb of the Patriarchs is a prayer site with an almost 4,000-year-old heritage. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Patriarchs of the Jewish People, and Sarah, Rebecca and Leah, the Matriarchs, are buried there. We know that it is also a holy place for Muslims; we honor both. We are not changing the status quo at the site and we will not, in any way, harm freedom of worship for Muslims, just as we will preserve freedom of worship for Jews.
2010-02-26 08:35:48
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