Not sure if this has been posted before, I can't keep up.
I've tried to check this out and it appears to be true. Now I'm not particularly religious, but again this kind of decision making would not be tolerated for any other group.
UNESCO have decided to redesignate originally jewish historical sites e.g. to relabel 'Rachel's Tomb' as a mosque and have disallowed the addition of the 'Machpelah' to Israel's Heritage list.
Now we all know that successive empires, religions and so on have always sought to subjugate predecessors by renaming holidays, places and denying 'linkage' to land. Christianity did 'a very good job' of that with regard to paganism - Winter Solstice period = Christmas; Eggs, Bunnies, Fertility Spring rites =Easter (Oestre) etc. And, a really 'good' way is to build your own building on top of an original and precious site so as to complete the subjugation.
All sides in conflicts tend to do this and Islamic history is no different, e.g. Al-Aqsa, Dome of the Rock. However, these things are now here and form part of the iconic skyline of Jerusalem. BUT, to go on to deny a linkage which predates both christianity and islam is unacceptable.
The promotion and enhancement of the sharing of these sites is surely the way to go, so that new generations may well stop fighting over them....I can wish can't I?!
Please read the petition and if you agree, do sign up and pass on.
http://www.petitiononline.com/rabbiv/
Wishes,
Isca
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