Archaeologist: Waqf endangering remains of Second Temple

[MikeGalos]

By Haaretz Staff and Agencies

An Israeli archaeologist has charged that Muslim authorities are excavating a disputed holy site in Jerusalem in a way that endangers the remains of the Second Temple.

An Israeli photographer took photographs that were released yesterday that show stone blocks with a unique design linked to the Second Temple, which was destroyed in 70 C.E. Hebrew University archaeologist Eilat Mazar charged that the presence of the blocks in the middle of a Muslim construction project shows that the Waqf, the Islamic Trust, is ignoring the site's importance in Jewish history.

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Mazar, a member of the Committee for the Preservation of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, said the stones had been revealed by excavation work the Waqf is carrying out to build a new mosque at the Temple Mount compound.

"There is no archaeological supervision <of the work> and no plan or survey to see what the real condition of the Temple Mount is", she said. "The Temple Mount is neglected, and it's just a matter of time before it collapses," she warned.

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<Full text at: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/390407.html >

[MikeGalos]

1. And, yet again

the Waqf destroys Jewish artifacts in their plan to destroy any evidence that Jews (or early Christians) ever lived in the area.

I just want everyone to realize that this is not only not the first time but has been part of a long-term concerted effort to destroy Jewish and other non-Moslem archaeological artifacts by the Waqf.

That Israel hasn't kicked the Waqf out of Temple Mount is purely a case of protecting Moslem Arab feelings at a huge cost to historians everwhere.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MikeGalos]

3. Bull

Document this obscene claim that a Jewish site agency has EVER destroyed Moslem historical sites. Of course, you won't be able to.

Since you won't be able to, I expect not only a full retraction but a public apology to this forum.

[drdon326]

4. Oh Sushi ???

I'm still waiting to see your proof of your statement.

lets see some proof.

[MikeGalos]

5. There won't be any

There haven't been equivalent cases. The racists actions of the Waqf to destroy archaeology that doesn't reflect the bizarre PLO and Hamas claims that Jews never lived in the Middle East prior to the 20th Century is unprecedented.

[drdon326]

6. Apparently...

the sushi bandit has left the building.

Anyone can make any outrageous statement then hi-tail it outta here.

[The Sushi Bandit]

15. Their lives and homes are destroyed everyday

...and you expect them to respect something that is 2,000+ years old??
Show them respect and MAKE PEACE NOW.

End the Occupation

[Muddleoftheroad]

17. Yes, I expect them to respect something 2,000 years old

Otherwise, Israel will likely stop respecting something that is about 1,300 years old.

[MikeGalos]

18. or, for that matter,

something that's 40 years old (Like "Palestinian nationalism movement" or the PLO)

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. What?

That's an incongruent comment.

[Taeger]

7. Temple Mount

The temple mount should be a SHARED holy site amongst Jews, Muslims and Christians. Any effort for ANY group to control it 100% will only lead to more bloodshed.

Islam should be more sensitive to this issue. The #1 holy site in Islam is Mecca, not the Dome on the Rock. The #1 holy site to Jews IS THE TEMPLE RUIN!!!!!

They need to find a group of moderate holy-men in which to entrust this extremely important site to. IT DOES NOT BELONG TO ISLAM. The holy sites should be entrusted to a sovereign council whose job is to preserve the massive history of old Jerusalem.

[JohnLocke]

19. Uh...The Temple Mount isn't a Christian holy place.

See here:

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT TO CHRISTIANS
by Lambert Dolphin

"Though Eretz Israel, "the Holy Land," and Jerusalem, "the holy city," attract reverence and devotion from Christian pilgrims, there is no emphasis in the New Testament on sacred territory. The idea that Eretz Israel is a plot of land set-aside by the God of Israel for His exclusive purposes is a tenet of orthodox Jewish belief derived from the Old Testament. Christians do not deny this value system but neither do they tend to affirm it as part of their own heritage and calling...

"If a survey were taken of American evangelical Christians touring Israel, few would say they consider either the church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Temple Mount to be "holy places," though most would consider them of great historic importance."

[MikeGalos]

20. there is no emphasis in the New Testament on sacred territory?

Really? What are all those churches doing built over every possible location of every Christian holy event? Why did Christians fight the Crusades if not to keep "Sacred Territory" in Christian hands?

[Darranar]

9. This must stop.

[Blitz]

10. How?

[Darranar]

11. Through a peace agreement...

with a prohibition on desecrating any holy site of any religion.

[Blitz]

12. I believe that such a prohibition is already in place

Enforcement is the problem. Agreements without enforcement are just paper.

[Darranar]

14. True...

A system of enforcement similar to that proposed by the Geneva Accord would be preferable.

5. al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (Compound)

(a) International Group
i. An International Group, composed of the IVG and other parties to be agreed upon by the Parties, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), shall hereby be established to monitor, verify, and assist in the implementation of this clause.
ii. For this purpose, the International Group shall establish a Multinational Presence on the Compound, the composition, structure, mandate and functions of which are set forth in Annex X.
iii. The Multinational Presence shall have specialized detachments dealing with security and conservation. The Multinational Presence shall make periodic conservation and security reports to the International Group. These reports shall be made public.
iv. The Multinational Presence shall strive to immediately resolve any problems arising and may refer any unresolved disputes to the International Group that will function in accordance with Article 16.
v. The Parties may at any time request clarifications or submit complaints to the International Group which shall be promptly investigated and acted upon.
vi. The International Group shall draw up rules and regulations to maintain security on and conservation of the Compound. These shall include lists of the weapons and equipment permitted on the site.

(b) Regulations Regarding the Compound
i. In view of the sanctity of the Compound, and in light of the unique religious and cultural significance of the site to the Jewish people, there shall be no digging, excavation, or construction on the Compound, unless approved by the two Parties. Procedures for regular maintenance and emergency repairs on the Compound shall be established by the IG after consultation with the Parties.
ii. The state of Palestine shall be responsible for maintaining the security of the Compound and for ensuring that it will not be used for any hostile acts against Israelis or Israeli areas. The only arms permitted on the Compound shall be those carried by the Palestinian security personnel and the security detachment of the Multinational Presence.
iii. In light of the universal significance of the Compound, and subject to security considerations and to the need not to disrupt religious worship or decorum on the site as determined by the Waqf, visitors shall be allowed access to the site. This shall be without any discrimination and generally be in accordance with past practice.

Geneva Accord

[MikeGalos]

16. It is

but the Waqf organizes riots and loudly proclaims that "The Jews are going to destroy the Haram al-Sharif" everytime that they're called on their bigotry and destruction.

Hey. It's worked for them for almost a century. Why let truth and honesty get in the way of a good pogrom.

[GabysPoppy]

13. Won't argue with that logic at all.

Now the question is how do you get from point A (today) to point B (your solution)? Please keep in mind the facts on the ground and the cast of characters you must deal with.