SAVE the holy sites and human history in Jerusalem from Israeli illegal excavation & destruction

End the Israeli destruction of the holy sites and human history in Jerusalem.

Recent Israeli excavations and destruction near and under the holy sites in the Old City Jerusalem threaten to change history. These excavations, if allowed to continue, threaten to seriously distort the historical significance of the Old City of Jerusalem. The integrity of monuments and historic sites that identify the heritage of humanity, especially sites of spiritual and cultural diversity, must be protected by responsible members of the world community.

On February 6, the Israeli antiquities authority started demolition of historic sites near the western wall of the holy sites compound. A hill, a wooden bridge, and two rooms at the foot of the hill will be eradicated in order to build a permanent bridge/walkway for Jewish settlers to access the Jewish Wailing Wall/ Muslim Buraq wall on the road leading to Magharba gate. These monuments represent different periods of human history.

Jerusalem, the mountainous walled city with a rich religious history, is sacred to followers of the three great religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; more than one half of the world's population.

For Jews, Jerusalem is the holy site of the Wailing Wall ; for Christians, the site of Christ's burial and resurrection; for Muslims, the site of the Prophet Muhammad's night journey to heaven, as well as the first direction they prayed towards before Makkah, and one of the three holiest sites.

Israel has been conducting what it terms 'excavation work' , an archaeological digging/tunnel , near and under the holy sites compound. since 1969.The current digging imposes a direct threat to the sustainability of Al-Aqsa mosque, as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; where it is believed Christ was buried and rose from the dead. Other adjacent historic structures are also threatened.

In February 2004, excavation work led to the collapse of a part of the path leading to Al Magharba Gate, one of the holy compound’s main entrances. However, Israeli media claims that the excavation had no effect on this incident and cites a snowstorm as the reason for the collapse. In February 2007, they characterizes the recent excavation/demolition as repair, maintenance, or restoration activities.

Jerusalem’s rich history belongs to all humankind. Old City of Jerusalem was declared by UNESCO as a threatened world heritage site.

The recent Israeli excavations and demolition of historic monuments of Jerusalem are a clear violation of the international laws as listed below:

UNESCO Decision 30 COM 7A.34 (2006), 31 C/Resolution 31, as well as to the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions (1949), The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) the related Protocol and to the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO on the protection of the cultural heritage.

Jerusalem world heritage sites are a significant part of world history. As we speak, the world is witnessing the destruction of a history that belongs to all humanity. If we do not raise our voices in opposition to this illegal excavation, this historical treasure could be destroyed and wiped off the face of the earth forever.

We urge all concerned people of the world to stand firm to protect our human history and to stop all forms of demolition and excavations of the historical Jerusalem.

We urge the international community to appeal to governmental and non-governmental archeological, anthropological, historic, and human rights organizations, institutions, and legal entities to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem

Please be advised that this petition is not intended to undermind or discredit our Jewish friends who are working diligently on indispensable peace and justice projects. This petition calls on all people of conscience and truth including the Abrahamic communities (Jews, Christians & Muslims) to restore and maintain the right of humanity to protect its history in Jerusalem.

References:
http://www.wahonline.org/Jerusalem
http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm? CID=31&ID_SITE=148&l=en
http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/307
http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/eed216406b50bf6485256ce10072f637/fbcfed1f1803f09185256f95005a39a6!OpenDocument
http://www.the-western-wall.com/Church-of-the-Holy-Sepulchre.htm
http://www.aqsa.org.uk/page_detail.aspx?id=204

We urge you to sign this petition to SAVE the holy sites and human history in Jerusalem from Israeli illegal excavation & destruction.

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