In a development of events that continues to infuriate Jews worldwide, fourteen kevorim were destroyed on Har Hazeisim over the in the past few days, including the kevorim of several American Jews. Most of the damage occurred within the Kolel Polen and Agudas Achim sections of the cemetery. Two of the kevorim were near the burial place of two Rebbes of Gur. The latest desecration comes after the Israeli government continues to delay implementation of proper security measures in and around the ancient cemetery, including the activation of surveillance cameras installed around the area’s perimeter.
Avrohom Lubinsky, Chairman of the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeisim, a group dedicated to restoring and securing the cemetery said that “every day that the security measures are delayed is a day when mourners and visitors are routinely stoned, kevorim desecrated, and garbage strewn throughout a sacred place.” Further, Mr. Lubinsky placed the blame squarely on government bureaucracy saying that, “It seems that every time we take a step in the right direction, the government takes two steps backwards. It is ironic that while local Arab workers refurbish kevorim, Arab criminals are destroying kevorim.”
The most recent spate of violence comes in the wake of both Nakba (day Arabs called Catastrophe which is the day Israel declared its independence in 1948 and Naksa (a day of “Setback” for Arabs which actually marks the reunification of Yerushalayim) during which many newly installed cameras were damaged. Additionally, as a further blow to the site’s sanctity and burial place of so many esteemed Jewish residents, a mosque is being illegally expanded a mere sixteen feet from the grave of the late Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Mr. Lubinsky called it “outrageous” blaming the Yerushalayim Municipality for not stopping the construction.
In a further absurd development, the Committee has learned that the electricity controlling the new cameras and lighting on Har Hazeisim may in fact be controlled by the East Yerushalayim Electric Company instead of the Israel Electric Company. Officials have vowed to assure that control over the electricity remains with the Israel Electric Company. Residents of the new Maaleh Zeitim development across the road have opted for private generators rather than come under the control of the Palestinian East Yerushalayim Electric Company.
Mr. Lubinsky revealed that a new bill imposing stiff penalties against perpetrators of crimes in cemeteries was currently in the works. Sponsored by MK Yoel Hasson of Kadima, the bill that would give the police new authority to make arrests, mandate tough penalties and sentences, and even hold the parents of minors who desecrate kevorim responsible for damages. With time, this bill may help to alleviate some of the criminal activity that currently takes place on Har Hazeisim.
The International Committee consists of representatives of major Jewish organizations including Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Recently, the Committee announced the establishment of an Israeli chapter to be their representatives on the ground. The chapter will be headed by Harvey Schwartz, chairman of the American Israeli Action Coalition (AIAC), a well known activist, and Jeff Daube, the Israeli representative of the Zionist Organization of America and the man responsible for bringing the situation on Har Hazeisim to the attention of American consular officials in Yerushalayim, including several congressmen and politicians as well as the state department. For more information about the Committee and its activities please visit www.harhazeisim.org.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com}
