Israel Nature and Parks Authority on September 02, 2015 set up a rail way and some wires and poles around a part of the Islamic cemetery of Bab Al-Rahama that overlooks Silwan area and is adjacent to Al-Aqsa mosque. The Nature Authority claimed having a court decision that allows them to work on an 1800m2 area from the cemetery. It is reported that a new Jewish touristic path will be established in the area.
Residents of Silwan stood up for the staff of Israel Nature Authority, who desecrated the place; police officers arrived to the place and provided protection for the staff to carry out its wok.
The case relative to this part of the cemetery dates back to the year 1995, when the Committee of Antiquities Reserve claimed that the ownership of the land belongs to “Hao’qal” fund. The fund claims every property in the periphery of Al-Aqsa mosque and its beneath as antiquities relative to the temple.
In 2004, the godfather of colonization Area’h King filed a complaint against the Israeli police, Authority of Antiquities, Nature Authority and the prime minister of Israel himself for allowing Muslims to bury their dead people in the targeted plot. As a result, an Israeli decision was made, stating the prohibition of opening new tombs in the targeted plot and the ban of using the existing tombs for burial. Also, the decision ordered the 30 newly established tombs demolished.
Israel Police on August 15, 2015 banned the sons of late Aisha Qara’in (80) to bury their mother in a tomb located in the targeted plot. The police justified the ban saying that the tomb is located in an area confiscated for the favor of establishing Talmudic park.
The cemetery of Bab Al-Rahma
The Israeli occupation authorities pursue to confiscate the whole cemetery due to its proximity to Al-Aqsa mosque from the eastern side, where the Golden Gate of Al-Aqsa (currently closed) is located. According to a Jewish belief, the entrance to the temple mount is through the Golden Gate.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
