05-11-2010 - UNESCO's decision to designate the Tomb of Rachel and The Cave of the Patriarch's as a Mosque is another example of the deligitimization of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The World Jewish Congress joined with other Jewish organizations and Prime Minister Netanyahu in condemning this action by the United Nations organization.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "It is unfortunate that an organization that was established with the goal of promoting the cultural preservation of historical sites around the world is attempting, for political reasons, to uproot the connection between Israel and its cultural heritage."
It should be noted that earlier this year, the State of Israel designated both holy sites as national heritage sites. At the time, the Obama Administration led by Secretary of State Clinton condemned Israel's action.Turkey's Prime Minister said that the Tomb and the Cave "were not and never will be Jewish sites, but Islamic sites."
For those not familiar with the centrality of the Tomb of Rachel in the life of the Jewish people
we recommend that you spend a few minutes on this informative web-site. Here is a link to a Capsule History of the Tomb.
Some of our readers may remember how the Muslim critics of Israel who are now trying to wipe out the Jewish heritage of Rachel's Tomb participated in the destruction of Joseph's Tomb. For more information on the physical assault on Joseph's Tomb go here.
The attempt to eradicate Jewish history in the Holy Land is a long term goal of the Muslim world. They refuse to recognize Israel's unique relationship with Jerusalem. In fact, Abbas has denied that Solomon's Temple ever existed in Jerusalem. This campaign must be fought against a we applaud Prime Minister Netanyahu for taking the lead in the counter offensive.
A SIDE NOTE: Israel is not the only target of UNESCO. Christian heritage is also being undermined by this United Nations organization. In Spain UNESCO has labeled the ancient
Cathedral of Cordoba a "mosque-cathedral." Another Muslim attempt to rewrite history.
Source: OneJerusalem.org
Today Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem is heavely protected and must be fortified by walls while Palestinians try to shoot at those (Jews & Christians) who like to visit and pray. We also think this is shere madness from UNESCO.
Read: Rachel’s Tomb: A Jewish Holy Site Since Ancient Times
