Thursday, February 25, 2010

Obama hits Israel again over Tombs

Joseph's Tomb destroyed by Palestinian mob in 2000, after control of the area was given to the Palestinian Authority


U.S. Slams Israel over Heritage Sites -Matthew Lee

The Obama administration criticized Israel for designating the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and the matriarch Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem as Israeli national heritage sites.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the administration viewed the move as "provocative" and unhelpful to the goal of getting the two sides back to the negotiating table. He said U.S. displeasure had been conveyed to senior Israeli officials by American diplomats.
(AP-Washington Post)


Peres: Palestinians Creating "Artificial Conflicts"

Responding to recent Palestinian criticism of Israel's move to add West Bank sites to Israel's national heritage list, President Shimon Peres said that the Palestinians were trying to create an artificial conflict.

Peres [said] that the decision was a positive step, made in order to preserve the holy sites. He said Israel will invest resources to build infrastructure to increase worshippers' access to the sites, and that Israel will continue to respect all religions and allow complete religious freedom to everyone.
(Ha'aretz)

See also Netanyahu: We're Renovating for Muslims as Well
(Ynet News)

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