Posted on 02/27/2002 11:14:57 AM PST by BenF
Israel Radio is reporting on Wednesday that the special Israeli Cabinet committee led by Housing Minister Natan Sharansky investigating the controversial proposed mosque adjacent to the landmark Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth has completed its work and will soon recommend that the mosque not be built.
In recent months, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has joined with other Christian ministries and churches worldwide, together with certain Jewish leaders, in a broad alliance to urge Israel to stop the illegal construction of the mosque next to the Basilica, which was being erected at break-neck speed by hostile Muslim elements.
As these efforts intensified over the Christmas season, the Israeli government decided to halt the unauthorized work on the mosque and re-examine the entire dispute, which has pitted a radical Islamic faction in northern Israel against the entire spectrum of Christianity.
A special ministerial committee headed by Sharansky has been studying the matter and is now expected to report its recommendations to the full Cabinet for a final decision that could have a very dramatic impact on Israel-Christian relations.
In January, the Sharansky committee heard testimony from Christian and Muslim representatives on both sides of the lingering dispute, and the ICEJ presented its reasons for opposing the mosque. The Christian Embassy contended that allowing the placement of a derisive mosque next to the Basilica threatened to become a blemish on Israel's exemplary record in safeguarding the holy sites in the Land and guaranteeing unhindered access to peoples of all faiths.
The ICEJ called for the construction of a previously approved tourist plaza on the site and recommended that a "buffer zone" be established around the Basilica to ban Muslim protests and incitement activities still being staged there. It is not yet clear whether the Sharansky committee has adopted these recommendations.
In addition, the ICEJ has witnessed in recent years a disturbing pattern of Muslim encroachment on authentic biblical sites throughout the Land of Israel, and determined it was an opportune time to begin forging a collective Christian/Jewish stand against it.
The same militant Muslim faction using violence and false claims to push for the erection of the mosque in Nazareth has also been behind the destruction of biblical antiquities on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
In early February, some forty key ICEJ leaders gathered for a meeting at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and signed a letter to Sharansky and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon thanking them for reconsidering the Nazareth issue and pledging to re-double our efforts in defending the rights of Jews and Christians to visit the Temple Mount. The letter acknowledged that the situations in Nazareth and on the Temple Mount are similar and assured that the Christian Embassy would work to mobilize Christians worldwide to also stand up for the biblical treasures on the Temple Mount in the same way they have defended the Basilica.
The Basilica is the largest church in the entire Middle East and the most universally recognized symbol of Nazareth, and marks the place where tradition says Mary was told she would give birth to the promised Messiah. The Basilica also stands over an authentic Bible site, identified as the boyhood home of Jesus. Among the incredible remains discovered there are a first century synagogue where Jesus likely preached, and the home of the village baker.
Meanwhile, the Temple Mount represents an even greater biblical treasure for Christians and Jews. Not only were the First and Second Temples located there, but also more events recorded in the New Testament occurred on the Temple Mount than any other single place in the Land of Israel.
ICEJ NEWS SERVICE provides news and comment on Middle East affairs, compiled by journalists at the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, publishers of the monthly Middle East Digest. Please feel free to publish/broadcast, with attribution.
Even Arafat was against this one from what I read about it.
Finally, about 6 months ago, as I recall, some Christians and Israeli groups were supporting the construction of the mosque.
What happened to them?
The Plaza and any buffer zone will of course be ignored by the Islamic sociopaths. One can expect the usual amount of Islamic blowhard militancy and Mullah incitement especially reaching fever pitches when Israel announces the decision. I also find an interesting angle here. Note the work of the "Zionist Christians" ICEJ for the protection of the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation. I note this because of the usual attacks against Christian Zionists by some members of Free Republic.
Is this mosque's construction funded by Wahabi charity ?
Not intentionally. We pay Wahabi oil money. It is up to Wahabi which charity he contributes to. If he makes contributions to too many wrong charities such as above, we should make sure Wahabi goes bankrupt. There are a few ways to achieve that.
Really, triffid?? They must be thinking that it would be better to place it on top of the basilica. After tearing it down first, of course.
Now, now Cachelot, you know that is not true. They just paint the dome green after burning out the contents and killing any priest that objects. (Yes I am making reference to the holy site the Palestinians did this to last year, despite signing treaties promising to never harm it)
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