Please stop UNESCO from declaring Tomb of Patriarchs in Hebron a Palestinian Heritage Site, ignoring recognition of site’s Jewish identity.
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Over the past few years there have been numerous articles published in the international media dealing with the diverging ‘narratives,’ as espoused by Jews on the one hand, and Arabs on the other. Not a few of them are based in Hebron.
The first, and perhaps most single important point when taking up such a discussion is definition of terms: what just is a ‘narrative?’
According to Merriam-Webster: ‘a story that is told or written.’
Oxford: ‘a spoken or written account of connected events.’ Synonyms include: story, tale, chronicle, history, description, record, portrayal, sketch, portrait, statement, report.
Interestingly enough, these definitions do not specifically identify whether a narrative is fact or fiction. A ‘story’ or ‘tale,’ as a narrative, may be true, or may be ‘creative writing.’ Usually the author makes it clear as to the category of the literature, be it real or imaginary.
However, in the Middle East, and more specifically in Israel, and even more explicitly in Hebron, the ‘dual narrative,’ as expressed by Jews and Arabs, cannot even be distinguished as fact and fiction; rather as fact and science fiction.
For example, the Tomb of the Patriarchs, Ma’arat HaMachpela, the burial site of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah, known by the Arabs as the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The word “HaMachpela” is mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Genesis, 18 times. It is not mentioned, even once, in the Koran.
Historically, the site was known as a Jewish shrine from the days of the Patriarchs. The building atop the actual caves themselves, was built by Herod, a Jewish king of Judea, over 2,000 years ago. That is, some 600 years before Muhammad was born. Following the advent of Christianity and the Byzantine Conquest and occupation, in the 300s, the site was transformed into a Basilica, when the largest of the inner rooms was built.
In the 600s, after the advent of Islam and the Arab conquest and occupation, the site was transformed from a church into a mosque. In 1100, following the Crusader conquest and occupation, the mosque was again destroyed and transformed back into a church.
Then, in 1267 after the Mameluk invasion and occupation, the Mameluk emperor, Bybers, announced the site to again be a mosque, and as such, declared it to be off-limits to anyone not of the Moslem faith.
Despite the hardships and conditions, Jews continued to live in Hebron and visit the Holy site. However their accessibility was limited to a very small area at the eastern wall of the structure, that being the seventh step of a stairwell leading to an entrance into the building. And so it was for 700 years, until the Jewish return to Hebron during the 1967 Six-day war, when this Holy place, along with the remainder of the city, was liberated. From then on the site has been accessible to all peoples of all religions and nationalities.
Back in 2012 the Palestinian Authority attempted to have UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization declare the Tomb of the Patriarchs as a ‘Palestinian Heritage Site.’ However, due to massive opposition, realizing that the attempt would fail, the redirected their efforts and instead, demanded, and successfully acquired the Church of the Nativity as a ‘Palestinian Heritage Site.’
What exactly is the connection between the PA and this Christian holy site remains something of a mystery. But so it is. Falling under the category of Science Fiction.
Presently, a couple of weeks before the UNESCO Heritage Center is set to meet in Krakow, the Arabs are again demanding international acceptance of the Tomb of the Patriarchs – Ma’arat HaMachpela, as their Heritage site.
What are the Arab claims to this site?
“Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi, the Sanctuary of Abraham or Tomb of the Patriarchs, in the old city of Hebron is considered to be the fourth holiest site in Islam. One of the ancient historical, religious, and heritage sites in Palestine, this 1000-year-old mosqueenshrines the tombs of the prophet Abraham, his son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob, and their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah, as well as the tomb of Joseph. It is believed that the prophet Mohammad visited it on his night flight from Mecca to Jerusalem. http://archive.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2429&ed=152&edid=152
Fact, Fiction or Science Fiction?
According to Arab legend, the massive stones of the sanctuary’s walls built without mortar were laid by King Solomon.
Fact, Fiction or Science Fiction?
‘Since 1967, Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, like all other Moslem holy sites in Palestine, became a target for the Israeli occupying forces and Zionist settlers. Several attempts to take control of the mosque were made. Gradually, the Israeli occupying authorities allowed Jews to pray in the mosque and later several places inside the mosque were restricted to Jews only. During Jewish holidays Moslems are denied access to the mosque.’
“The Palestinian people understand extremely well that this decision has a political dimension, and that it is aimed at Israel expropriating sites that are part of an occupied territory … These sites belong to a future Palestinian state”. According to AFP, Fayyad also reaffirmed “the inalienable right of the Palestinian people on their soil”
Fayyad accused Israel of ‘annexing’ the Cave of the Patriarchs. ‘[Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu’s decision is dangerous and political in nature. The site is an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territories’ https://un-truth.com/tag/ibrahimi-mosque-in-hebron
Fact, Fiction or Science Fiction?
The Fatah spokesman in Hebron, Osama Al-Qawasmi, decried Netanyahu’s readiness to cross red lines for his election campaign and said he is trampling on the status of the holy place, because the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque is an Islamic trust and the Palestinians do not accept its division.
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-1.642664
“We warn the criminal Netanyahu of the consequence of storming and desecrating the noble Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron city, and we consider this a serious escalation to which our people won’t remain silent,” Hamas spokesman Izzat al-Rishiq wrote in a statement.
The Fatah movement of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded to the report by declaring it would act against the visit.
“The Ibrahimi Mosque is sacred Muslim property and… we will defend all our holy places,” a spokesman said, according to Israel Radio. http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-warn-netanyahu-against-hebron-visit/
Fact, Fiction or Science Fiction?
A few years ago, the Hebron Jewish Community produced a short video, demonstrating the Arab attempts to take control of the site. Called ‘Grandpa Abraham Hijacked,’ in just a few minutes the video provides a succinctly tangible example of the efforts to utilize science fiction as means to achieve their aims.
Some say there are two narratives. The truth is that there are facts, there are fictions, and there are science fictions. And there is UNESCiencefictionO.
You choose.
This, of course, comes on the background of the election of Taysir Abu Sneneh as the Mayor of Hebron. Abu Sneneh was one of the four terrorists on the roof opposite Beit Hadassah, shooting and killing six men on May 2, 1980.
Abu Sneineh was convicted as one of the gunmen and sentenced to life in prison.
Abu Sneineh says the attack, one of the deadliest on West Bank settlers, was justified.
“They all were armed settlers and soldiers, no women or children,” he recalled. “We attacked them with guns and hand grenades.”
“We wanted to send a message to the settlers that this is our city and they have to leave,” Abu Sneineh added.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_PALESTINIANS_UNREPENTANT_MAYOR?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
URGENT call to action: Anyone wishing to try and influence the decisions to be made during the first weeks of July at the UNESCO Heritage Center meeting is urged to contact US Ambassador to the UN, a good friend of Israel, Nikki Haley, via Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/NikkiHaley/ – and/or Twitter – @NikkiHaley – with this, or a similar message:
Please stop UNESCO from declaring Tomb of Patriarchs in Hebron a Palestinian Heritage Site, ignoring recognition of site’s Jewish identity.