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Last update - 15:25 19/02/2007 UN anti-racism panel questions Israel over non-Jewish holy sites By The Associated Press A United Nations anti-racism panel is scheduled to hold a hearing later this week over Israel's attitude toward sites considered holy by its Arab population. Israel's government has also been asked to explain if it discriminates between Jewish citizens and its Arab citizens in how it provides housing, education, public services, land rights and legal protection against acts of violence, according to a list of issues released by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The panel of 18 independent experts overseeing compliance with the United Nations' 38-year-old anti-racism treaty has submitted questions in writing on Israel's policy for preserving holy sites and asked the government to explain why it only grants special protection for places considered sacred by Jews. Advertisement The committee asked for a clarification over the fact that to date, 120 places have been declared holy sites, all of which are Jewish. The list of questions was formulated before the recent furor over a construction project in Jerusalem that some Muslims have charged could damage the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel - whose quadrennial review was postponed in August because of the Lebanon war - is to appear before the panel on Thursday and Friday to answer the questions, which include whether it has set forth regulations in relation to holy sites of both the Jewish and non-Jewish population. Two weeks ago, Israeli archaeologists began a salvage dig ahead of the construction of a new pedestrian walkway up to Jerusalem's Temple Mount. On Sunday, the dig sparked renewed Muslim condemnation after an Israeli archaeologist said the site might contain a Muslim prayer room. Most holy places are also considered antiquities sites, Israel said in 2005 submission to the panel, arguing that Muslim sites are still protected under its law. The Jewish state referred in the 124-page report to a pending High Court decision over whether the government was required to offer Muslim holy places the same status as Jewish religious sites. Nevertheless, it said several existing statutes protect holy places by requiring excavation, drainage, sewage and demolition projects near holy sites, Jewish or non-Jewish, to first gain special government permission. The archaeological dig is taking place about 60 meters away from the Al Aqsa mosque ? a site considered the third-holiest in Islam. Bookmark to del.icio.us   My three homelands French Vogue chose Lizzie Doron as one of Israel's influential authors. President Barghouti Jailed Tanzim leader says he's considering running in next PA presidential elections.   1.   ah, being criticised by the bastion of human rights such as 15:32  |  Danny - Israeli one 19/02/07   2.   they deserve no response. where were they over arab treatment of 15:40  |  ralph 19/02/07   3.   What a joke! 15:41  |  Jacob P. 19/02/07   4.   NO to UN crap 15:44  |  Brod 19/02/07   5.   Just one question 16:06  |  Lynn 19/02/07   6.   Re: Jacob P. 16:26  |  Leah 19/02/07   7.   Lets be honest 16:28  |  Mark Frazer 19/02/07   8.   UN anti-racism panel - what a farce! 16:43  |  Nachman 19/02/07   9.   UN anti-racism panel 16:48  |  Michele R 19/02/07   10.   Amazing... 16:48  |  Butch ben Yok 19/02/07   11.   UN anti-racism panel 16:51  |  Michele 19/02/07   12.   Fruits of liberalism 17:07  |  Gene 19/02/07   13.   LOL 17:21  |  rich 19/02/07   14.   Let`s respect everyone`s rights 17:22  |  David 19/02/07   15.   Jacob P. 17:36  |  Rold A 19/02/07   16.   More evidence of apartheid 17:46  |  Andrew 19/02/07   17.   Why Is It 17:57  |  billy T 19/02/07   18.   U N and equity 17:59  |  chaim 19/02/07   19.   # 16 Andrew and his double standard 18:00  |  Lynn 19/02/07   20.   UN anti-racism panel questions Israel over non-Jewish holy sites 18:01  |  David 19/02/07   21.   More evidence of apartheid 18:03  |  Twogunz 19/02/07   22.   France, Germany, Denmark, England....... 18:13  |  TOMY 19/02/07   23.   While Darfur burns, the UN fiddles 18:14  |  Polybios 19/02/07   24.   Response to Michelle 18:14  |  James 19/02/07   25.   While Darfur burns, Palestine is occupied 18:30  |  Yaakov Sullivan 19/02/07   26.   Israeli cretins owe their lives to UN 19:27  |  Marilyn 19/02/07   27.   Questions are anti-semitic. 19:28  |  Colin Wright 19/02/07   28.   David in Topeka, you are mad 19:30  |  Marilyn 19/02/07   29.   marilyn 19:56  |  eva 19/02/07   30.   Basic Problem of mankind 20:17  |  David 19/02/07   31.   Hill Of Evil Counsel UN Headquarters` Staff Doze Through Arab ... 20:19  |  Lavi 19/02/07   32.   If you have it so bad here, why not move to an Arab country? 20:19  |  JRB 19/02/07   33.   UN asking the right question? 20:37  |  KT 19/02/07   34.   Who else discriminates against palestinians? 20:40  |  Zvi 19/02/07   35.   Marilyn: Time To Make Aliyah (Ascend) From "The Land Down Under" 20:47  |  Lavi 19/02/07   36.   UN committees 20:51  |  Kalle 19/02/07   37.   Marilyn, you should be kept off this board 21:16  |  DavidAK 19/02/07   38.   Asinine!!! 21:22  |  Lisa 19/02/07   39.   kT #33 has a good point about recycling buildings 21:29  |  topanga 19/02/07   40.   When Pals take over Bethlehem... 21:33  |  Stargazer 19/02/07   41.   UN PANEL FOR MUSLIM NATIONS THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST NON-MUSLIMS 21:46  |  AV 19/02/07   42.   Oy vey, they are on to us. 22:15  |  Shimon 19/02/07   43.   The UN : a senile white elephant 22:38  |  Wendy 19/02/07   44.   The Aparthied case is becoming overwhelming 22:41  |  Tim 19/02/07   45.   "Yaakov" 22:45  |  Danite 19/02/07   46.   The Muslim Waqf did catastrophic damage to the Temple Mount 22:47  |  AV 19/02/07   47.   UN a mirror of the world 22:58  |  Stargazer 19/02/07   48.   Let me guess... the UN is an anti-semite now? 23:29  |  Rory 19/02/07   49.   Peace b/w Jews and Muslims 23:33  |  Sajid 19/02/07   50.   Of course, the UN is Antijewish 00:41  |  AV 20/02/07   51.   Rory... 00:55  |  Jon 20/02/07   52.   So, nobody denies Israel is racist? 03:07  |  benji 20/02/07   53.   #34 Zvi: resident eligible for citizenship? 03:13  |  benji 20/02/07   54.   48: No, Rory, the UN`s been antisemitic for a long time 10:51  |  David Teich 20/02/07   55.   Good question 11:00  |  Kalle 20/02/07   56.   you`re right marilyn 13:48  |  colt 20/02/07   57.   #53 Acquiring Israeli citizenship by birth 23:20  |  zvi 20/02/07   58.   Israel is an Apartheid Racist State 11:54  |  Randy 27/12/07   59.   Islam`s WAR ON G-D and the HOLY Places of G-D (1) 19:55  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   60.   Islam`s WAR ON G-D and the HOLY Places of G-D (2) 19:58  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   61.   Islam Makes WAR ON G-D and those who OBEY G-D (1) 20:02  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   62.   Islam`s WAR ON G-D and WAR on those who OBEY G-D (2) 20:05  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   63.   #58Jew-HATERS WICKED LIE of Occupation. Return STOLEN JEWISH LAND 20:08  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   64.   #58 Jew-HATERS Ignore Justice for One Million JEWISH REFUGEE 20:10  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   65.   #58 Jew-HATERS DECEIVE for Islam. Already ARAB Pal State 20:12  |  Linda Rivera 07/02/08   66.   Israel needs a harsher response then a talking to from the UN 05:50  |  anti-racist 19/03/08

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