As a “goodwill gesture” to the Phakestinians, Israel allowed Muslims into the entire Tomb of the Patriarchs (the most ancient Jewish site in the world) to celebrate the birthday of Mohammad, their so-called prophet. Because of similar past incidents, and worse, the Tomb is usually split into a Jewish side and a Muslim side. To show their appreciation for Israel’s gesture towards interfaith harmony, and their respect for other religions, the Muslims used this opportunity to desecrate Jewish holy texts, including prayer books and books of Psalms.
The Tomb of The Patriarchs is the cave that Avraham bought to bury his wife Sarah. It is also where Avraham, Yitzchak (Isaac) Rivka (Rebecca), Yaakov (Jacob) and Leah were eventually buried. When it was under Islamic control, non-Muslim entry was forbidden. It is the second holiest spot on Earth for Jews (after The Temple Mount)
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The damage was discovered on Monday when Jews were allowed to return to the prayer halls usually set aside for Jewish use. The desecration caused upset and anger among the returning Jewish worshipers.
Jewish community spokesman David Wilder said such damage is unfortunately common. Jews have often returned after Muslims made use of the entire holy place to discover ruined holy books, damaged mezuzah cases and other destruction, he said. Jews try to remove all holy objects from the sanctuary before turning it over to Muslim use, he explained, but books are occasionally accidentally left behind.
The damage is not accidental, however, Wilder clarified. “They know exactly what it is that they are doing,” he said of those who destroy the holy texts.
The IDF is aware of such incidents, he added, as video cameras in the building allow them to see what takes place in the prayer halls. “It’s very unfortunate that more care isn’t taken to prevent these things from happening,” he said.
Hevron’s Jews are now calling on the IDF to refuse the next request for Muslim access to the Jewish prayer halls. If the desecration is not met with punishment, such acts will continue, they say.
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This type of action by Muslims however is unfortunately not uncommon. In addition to the damage they have caused to other religions’ holy objects across the world, in 2000 they completely destroyed Joseph’s Tomb (Judaism’s 3rd holiest site) after the IDF protecting it were removed in response to a PLO promise that they would protect it.
Tags: Destroy Holy Texts, Hebron, Israel, Muslims, Palestinians, Tomb of Patriarchs
