UN warns Israel to withdraw claim on religious site

[OhioChick]

Source: Times of India

PTI, Feb 24, 2010, 04.11am IST

UNITED NATIONS: The UN has asked Israel to withdraw from its decision to include two religious sites in the West Bank on its list of national heritage sites, as it will escalate tension in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that tomb of biblical patriarch Abraham in Hebron and tomb biblical matriarch Rachel in Bethlehem both of which are on the disputed land will be included in the USD 107 million restoration plan.

"I urge Israel not to take any steps on the ground which undermine trust or could prejudice negotiations, the resumption of which should be the highest shared priority of all who seek peace," said Robert Serry, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process.

The Israel Radio reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said this step was a dangerous provocation that could lead to a religious war.

According to Fars news agency, Iranian foreign ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said, "Unfortunately, Zionists' decision rises from the regime's strategy for cleaning all the sanctities of the Muslims and Christians in the occupied Palestine to give them a Zionist identity."


Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/UN-warns-Israel-to-withdraw-claim-on-religious-site/articleshow/5609751.cms

[MUAD_DIB]

1. Regardless of how many people show consternation/anger over Israel's

use of eminent domain I have come to the conclusion that the Israeli government will not be happy until the Palestinians/others are a distant memory.


Why are we bankrolling them?

Granted, we support the Saudis for oil, but do we really need to provide the Israeli government with continued monetary/military support when this behavior continues?

[Purveyor]

2. And israel {{{chuckles}}}... eom