UN: Israel 'heritage sites' are on Palestinian land

The West Bank does not belong to Israel. Where have you been for the last 42 years? Israel drove Jordanian forces from the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem in 1967. Because it has refused to withdraw from the occupied land, Israel is in violation of international law. It is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, 242 (1967),452 (1979) and 465 (1980) The building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the annexation of Jerusalem and the Gaza blockade are in violation of Article 49, 53 and 147 of the 4th Geneva Convention and of the 1st Protocol article 85 of the Convention. These violations can be prosecutable in the International Criminal Court in the Hague as a war crime.

Some of the pro-Arab comments are so historically uninformed. The purchase of Machpelah in Hebron for the Jewish people is detailed clearly in Genesis. And Rachel is one of the Jewish mothers. Islam came on the scene two thousand years later and Jews were here in Israel long long before Arabs. There are so many lies spouted by Israel's enemies that are frankly breathtaking in their sheer audacity. Jews are home in their land and have every right to their inheritance. What is this nonsense about so-called "Palestinian" land? The only people who called themselves Palestinians before 1948 were actually Jews. It even says in the Koran that the land of Israel belongs to the Jews!

Go bite yourself, you haven't a clue. You sure do alot of confident talking for someone who relies on propaganda as his source.

In 1967, Israel launched preemptive warfare against Egypt, Syria and Jordan. None of those nations shoulder any responsibility for the current existing issues involving Israel and the Palestinians. In 1967, under Israeli assault, Jordan withdrew from Jerusalem and the West Bank. It played no further role in subsequent developments. UNSC resolution makes no mention of Jordan, and addresses two principles: 1. "the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war," and 2. demands "the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict." The resolution makes no reference to the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan or Egypt. Jordan has no legal right to assume control over any part of the occupied territory, nor does Egypt. The West Bank and Gaza are considered by the UN and international law to be one entity, occupied Palestinian territory. Your demands are confusing, and lack any legal foundation. You should read UN 242.

The Palestinians had better shut up before someone realizes that it's not the tomb of Abraham & Ishmael and figure out it's not Arab land.

Always Israel talks of peace. And yet Her actions speak loudly.

or any heritage/holy sites is unrealistic. Israel has tolerence towards other religions wether they/we/you like it or not, unlike Islamic entities. So it's up to Israel to protect these sites since the Pals won't show the same tolerence. http://www.gamla.org.il/english/feature/freedom.htm http://www.gamla.org.il/english/feature/free2.htm http://www.gamla.org.il/english/feature/free3.htm

The Israeli's only take what is rightfully theirs.

It seems to me like if enough Israeli and Palestinian leaders stepped up they could turn the idea of this trail (not annexed by israel) into a joint Jewish/Muslim trail administered by some sort of third party (IE the UN) that recognizes the holiness of these sites to both of our cultures. Let's take Netanyahu's lemons and force him to make lemonade!

Your spot on in your first paragraph. The only way i see it is if Israel is forced to give back occupied land and it the moment it seems like Iran will do the job. So go ahead Iran you have mine and millions of peoples support to carry on arming hamas and hezbollah. It is inevitable the warmongers in Israel will start another one soon but this time it will be different, times have changed occupation has gone on for too long and it will be Israels downfall.

UN's special coordinator for the Middle East as well as all leftist and activities better keep their month shut and go home this is ours and we should take care of them

E. Jerusalem is Abu Dis and there is a little conference center there that has been designated as the Palestinian Parliment Building and they will have none of it! All Arab Historical, correction all historical sights are preseved by the Isrelis without regard to claim. Its the Arabs who have and continue to destroy Jewish historical artifacts and archeological sights, especially the Temple Mount. Get an education before mouthing off Monitor.

If every invading country would claim an new heritage then the world should be Italian or Romaine, or perhaps Hellenic Greek, come on Arabs have had a century of glory that basically was based on invasion and conquest, not much more.... The Bible has been existing for 5,000 years and Islam barely 1,000, how do you think they suddenly woke up and claimed to be the descendants of Abram or anything in Judaism, the answer is simple ... they usurp cultures and take them and make it their own, because simply being the descendant of rape conquest murder and war is not acceptable, they lie about their roots, they are what the bible identify as AMALEC, but the Hebrew power show them on which side god is and this time it is on the side of the only biblical descendants, the Israelites... the sons of Abram , HEBRON IS ISRAELI AND JEWISH! Their place is in Soudi Arabia next to their Mecca.... nowhere else. is Israel something the Ottman Empire should claim, is it part of Rome and Italy?

Bibical sources indicate Abraham had 12 sons, there is no proof that today's Arabs and Moslems are descended from Ismael. Further, since the Prophet swept idols from the Kabbah in Mecca, Arabs had either abondoned the Patriarch's God in favor of hundrends of idols or never worshiped him in the first place. More likely the Prophet imitated the story of Abraham from Jewish sources to unite the Arabs. But to twist the story and make the first born of the concubine primary over the legal wife's son is a foundation for replacement theology, not fact. Some Xtians accept that their religion adopted the Jewish God and are 'graphed' on. Moslems need to be more respectful and observant of historical facts in this regard.

jews have had many countries as well. the polish jews and the german jews and he russian jews, heritage is far different from religion. itg is not the arabs who banished you from those lands, it was God, and he did not return to tell you to take those lands. but it doesn't matter, because the real isrlites are not all jewish anymore. many have converted to Christianity and Islam, do they not count as part of the tribes? Jesus walked among the Phlistines because the isrlites refused him and they had a bounty out on him. the Muslims and the Christians believe this, and jews all over the world take pleasure in the fact that jews had him crucified. and by the way not all Pals are Muslims so where should those others go? Christianity was born in Palestine, should they lose their heritage because of a few jews? i don't think so.

Israel attacked Egypt 1967 and started the war. Calling it a "pre-emptive" strike does not change this fact. UN resolution 242 that followed the war clearly stated that capturing territory through war is illegal and that the territory should be returned, and we're still waiting for Israel to respect that...

Since most people, including all Iraqis, are convinced he was born in Ur.

Dear Mr Erakat, if Bibi is moving to consolidate palestinian lands or sabotage a two state solution, what then do you think would be most viable? You can both have your cake and eat it too; it's called a one-state solution. Let's move forward man, it's time to broaden your horizens. A palestinian state is a no brainer and not worth the blood already shed. It's time for you to begin pushing the one state solution. Stop wasting time. Be progressive

Does anyone deny that the very land that Palestinians claim is theirs lies on top of Jewish heritage sites? You can't deny history.

Jordan. Once they called him Emir,now they call them kings. Oh My ! When 'Jordan' was in Israel land, They stole & broke the Head-Stones of Jewish Tombs. And paved the pathway to their stinking latrines with these very stones where men & women cried over them for centuries past. It was a crime & sacrilege to desecrate these holy stones for those whose loved ones lay in eternal peace. Everything was quiet & peaceful in thase places. Even birds when they flew past,paid their respect in silence. Only when these brutish Jordanian soldiers trod with their heavy boots, commanded by an Englisg General,Glub Pasha,did they rattle the bones of the dead. Smashing the Jewish Tombs left & right. Those who don't respect the dead & pay homage to their memory.Will never respect the living.

It's true that Israel took the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 war. However, Jordan doesn't want it back. Ergo, it belongs to Israel.

The Arabs are expert liars, always looking to take Israeli and Jewish possessions and lying and destroying. Arafat, the dead slime terrorist, denied the validity and Jewish character of the Western Wall. Is there anything left to say. Abbas is the same, except he wears a suit, trying to fool the West. This is what the World Community wants to have peace with. Never will happen, Israel build, build your land, ignore the lies of the false inhabitants.

Palestinians (Philistines)entered the Land of Canaan before the Israelite tribes. Recognition of their longer tie to the land should also be respected. The UN is correct to be concerned over this proposal.

The Palestinian can GIVE peace a chance. They should not teach hatred to their children who will grow up to hate Jews. They should not terrorize innocent civilian. Both sides should learn to live together peacefully. Then all can live together in the State of Israel, follow their own religion and be honorable citizens of one country.

...that holy sites in Jerusalem and Nazareth were part of a catholic "heritage" tour, the UN would be up in arms? Not bloody likely! Different day, same double standard.

...torah says, take your son, your only son, the son you love etc... and Abe is crying, he thinks he has to go and give up Ismail, then he finds out, your son Isaac, and he jumps right to it. So Muslims, I say, Ismail is a huge part of the Torah, considering the short amount of time, in relation to the entire work, that he is involved. I also, wihtout more information fail to see how somoene celebrating their heritage is destroying yours. Please explain how Heritage has to be 0 sum game, how we all can't win from learning about ourselves and others?

Yes, Vlad, Israel is ALL about taking. Taking what is rightfully hers. So now Rachel is important to the lying Pals ?? To deny Rachels Tomb as Israeli and Jewish is to deny the nose on your face. And you have drank the Palestinian KoolAid, are you so gullible ??

... Only Jewish Heritage? Or Historical Heritage for peoples of the world? Yes it is in Israel, the one and only Jewish State in the world, but does that mean these Heritage sites are only for Jews? Or that they will seek to destroy other peoples heritage? If they are going to destroy muslim heritage then yes I, a Jew and Israel firster say lets stop this. if it is only going to promote Jewish Heritage whilst not destroying someone elses then I am for them. HERITAGE IS NOT A ZERO SUM GAME, BE CAREFUL AS EXTREMISIST ARE LURKING EVERYWHERE TO TELL YOU THE OPPOSITE. Muslims, open a Zohar, you will see that Ismail is so integral to Judaism, to Isaac and to the Jewish people. According to Zohar, Ismail was most loved son of Abraham as he was most similar to Abe, Isaac was Right Man, Ismail and his Pop Left Men. Jacob was the Synthetist, the culmination of two thoughts in harmony. Abraham when he was told about the Akkedah was given in depth instructions on the boy...

Yet again, SDHD disseminates vituperative comments. The only truth associated with the remarks he has made on these pages, which have been at once puerile and thoroughly aggressive, is that the the nature of his psyche has come to full light. If SDHD is of the opinion that UN decisions are simply illegitimate, he should certainly call for the repeal of the 1947 partition resolution and for no country to recognize Israel.

... Jews and Muslim Pals, altho' it is situated within the Pal city of Hebron... ... it should be a 'heritage site' for both Israel & Palestine... ... can we presume that this is what Bibi envisions?...

It's part of a historic walk, it's a walk, get it. No one is annexing invading or subjugating the population.If anything it could be a breakthrough in cooperation. Let the Palestinians create one of their own including ones that are mutually important. Better yet, let it be approached as part of a cooperative effort.

Hey, #19. Reread the Balfour Declaration. That is Jewish land. Also, Al Aqsa was delibeately built on the site of Judaism's holiest Temple. You don't see the Israelis desecrating Muslim sites. Muslims have desecrated innumerable sites belonging to other religions, including yours. Christian Arabs are forced to flee Palestinian lands by your Muslim buddies. You should be more concerned with the terrorists in your own country, who-if you aren't-will kill more and more of you.

The peace treaty stated that Jordan would look after Muslim sites in Jerusalem. No mention of Christian sites or any sites outside Jerusalem.

Both retards to the fullest. SDHD, I won't even waste my time b-slapping you as usual. Stay in San Diego and let that hot sun burn what's left of that noodle. Abdul Murphy - Goliath was a philistine warrior. What does he have to do with the Pals? The fact that you don't know they are unrelated supports my claim of your deformed noodle and completely strikes your post as being such.

these are our forefathers for crying out loud! What possible Arab claim is there to these sites- all the Arabs want to do is erase any trace of Jewish history like they have already done in all of the Arabic countries. They and the UN can repeat their lies all they want but it still doesn't make it the truth.

Jordan had the West Bank and East Jrslm, they couldn't manage it, they let go of it, they have no right even to think about it. Welcome to the beginning of the idea of one state solution, the only solution.

in Jerusalem and didn't mention it or the area around it in the Koran.Why did Israel ever decide to give up there land when there was never an arab country there.Jordan burned temples and in all arab countries antiquities fall into disrepair.the arabs really have no claim on it and Israel has 3000 year history. These sites must fall under Israel.the Iraqi's scraped off the Hebrew prophets Ezekial's tomb and the UN doesn't care. The UN is irrelevent and should be removed from New York. We native New Yorkers dislike the UN and feel it has no right to hold Israel to anything. Why doesn't it stop Iran from shooting its own people and ignoring the nuclear agency which it says it doesn't have to follow. Well Israel should not pay any attention to this organization which is run by an Arab mafia against the West. Arab regimes are trying to destroy historic artifacts and I hope Jordan doesn't ever get its hands on the dead sea scrolls. These sites are not Palestinian.

Do you think Israel is interested in peace ?? No. I lived in both Israel and West Bank. Palestinians are way more desperate for peace, as passing 2 or 3 checkpoints everyday to go to work/school is not fun! Israel wants the Palestinian leadership to give up to the conditions and go back to the table. That is not fair. Israel basically wants Palestinians to give their rights to the 67 borders (given by international law), the continuous land theft policy of Israel should be condemned worldwide.

Palestinian land? This is a bad joke and the joke is on the Jews who happened to be around thousands of years before this fabricated people called Palestinians.

We confess. We put our jewish heritage sites on the West Bank 1000s of years before the word "Palestine" was invented. And, don't forget Joseph's Tomb outside of Nablus, Joshua's Tomb outside of the village of Kefel Hares, Harod's tomb, etc., etc., etc.

see: subject

JS: "Uh, no. They are JEWISH......" Riiiiiiiight. And since the Dome of the Rock is a MUSLIM holy site then any West Bank Palestinian is perfectly entitled to cross the Green Line to have a look at it. And if the Israelis don't like that... well... tough; Israel has no reason to complain since, after all, it IS a muslim holy site. Correct?

Having the Israeli PM walk into a Mosque in Jerusalem with 1000 guards.... Well, maybe not.

its all stolen and temporary

SDHD: "Jews protect the holy sites of BOTH religions. Arabs destroyed Jewish holy sites whenever they had control." Err, SDHD, the problem isn't that there are holy sites worthy of protection: it is that Israel has unlaterally declared a "heritage trail" that meanders into occupied territory. Everyone - but you - knows that the holy sites are merely being used by Bibi as the excuse for this latest provocation. The man can't help himeself; he MUST keep creating "facts on the ground". But at least he knows what he is doing, and why. But you? Not so much....

Would a UN representative please answer the following: It is generally accepted, and the bible clearly states, that the patricarch Jacob is buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs. What was Jacob's other name: Was it Israel, or was it Palestine? No landmark can ever be as clearly Israel's than the burial place of Israel himself.

How can the Palestinins give anything, the Israeli's have taken it all!

Palestinians are stealing Jewish heritage land. Islam has 22 countries and should stop encroaching on Israeli Jewish territory. The Palestinians harm trust between the 2 sides and hurt efforts to renew talks. They are not partners for peace, but rather an occupying power intents on stealing Jewish lands. Erekat and Abbas are working to sabotage the 2 state solution and are derailing peace efforts. Palestinian arabs have been seizing Jewish land for hundreds of years. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob-Israel are buried in Hebron, and not Ishmael, Esau and Mohammed. Muslims have Mecca and Medina. They should leave Hebron. Rachel is the Jewish mother, not Arab. Bethlehem is King David's town, not Goliaths.

Pals, scrap the 2 state solution and demand your equal civil rights. These Israelis who govern the state of Israel could care less about laws or anything else that is NOT Jewish for that matter. If Pals stay on the same course, they will endure another 60 years of suffering and brutality. I say you all convert to Judiasm (I question the Jewishness of the current residents of Israel anyway..these europeans and former soviets), since Israel wants to keep it a 'Jewish' state, then take the country back with political numbers and change the laws as you see fit. Covert back to your Islamic and Christian faiths after the fact. But we all know the Pals just aren't witty enough to beat Israel at its own game. Think outside the box for once...

This is just one more indication that Israel has no intention of promoting a just peace. Israel is about taking, exploiting and always putting Palestine on the defensive.

you need more time to study what you are talking about and less time talking about what you dont know....your ignorance is on ly matched by your arrogance! both ways? you got it right no ways

It's one thing if there was an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis regarding Jewish religious sites and another when Israel wants to create trails on occupied lands. It's a clear violation of international law, but I understand only Arabs are not allowed to violate international law. Israel is above the law like usual.Israelis don't need to wonder why many countries are angry when they see such arrogance.

"Declaration pure provocation" Nonsense. Jews protect the holy sites of BOTH religions. Arabs destroyed Jewish holy sites whenever they had control.

Its just further Palestinan, politicized, denial of Jewish presence and connection to the land of Israel. There has been a four decade year old efort to magically transform "Palestinins" from an Arab political position regarding the state of Israel n( by some, but not all of the Arabs that had once resided in pre-state Israel), into an ethnic, tribal designation. In order to do so, they now have to invent a common past and history and the historic and ancient Jewish presence and connection to Israel doesn't fit with the new myths that they are trying to create.

Why are the Muslems always making our Jewish holy places into Mosques. What does Rachel Tomb have to do with Moslems. Every holy place to the Jews they expropriate. Lets take back the Temple mount and send them to their own holy places to pray.

Then have the rest of the Arab and Islamic countries support your claim. It is robbery in plain daylight, unbelievable.

this is a part of israeli policy of grab and greed

... are the common heritage of Humanity, as are the Kotel, the Dome of the Rock, and so many other sites of religious and cultural significance in the Holy Land. The challenge is for all parties to find a mutually agreeable form of administration, so that no one party feels its heritage, its right of worship, or its sovereignty at a given site are being compromised or abridged. Whilst Israel has a generally good track record in allowing free access to religious sites - Jewish, Christian and Muslim - unilateral declarations such as this one are to be avoided, as they inflame the worst passions on all sides. The UN pointed out a possible solution in 1947, through UNGAR 181's 'corpus separatum'. Although I certainly do not advocate anything on 181's scale, I wonder if heritage sites themselves might be declared extra-territorial by all parties, and placed under UN administration? MV

There was one temple and not much more. Many villages around that were much less jewish, wrong?

Now,I could understand Erekat claiming that the Tomb of the Patriachs and Rachel's Tomb are MUSLIM sites as well as Jewish sites.It's the contention that they are PALESTINIAN sites that leaves me breathless,unless he's agreeing that they are both Jewish and Muslim sites in which case there's no problem.I don't think that's what he means;he's claiming some sort of exclusivity on a national basis,which is absurd. If Erekat were interested in peace and co-existence,he could put forward a plan for a Heritage Trail that covered the dual Jewish and Muslim (and possibly Christian) significance of the sites. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

If these place ARE part of Jewish history and heritage how is it inflaming the situation by acknowledging it? Does anyone doubt that Rachel's Tomb is part of Jewish heritage? Whatever this is all silly - it is what it is.

Jordan should NOW abrogated the Peace Treaty that exists between the TWO countries. And Egypt should follow do the SAME the week after. How long are we MUSLIMS are going to put up with these so call Peace Parners from the other side????

There is not one holy site of the Jews that the Muslims do not claim to be one of their holiest sites.

Not even one tangible positive gesture came from palestinian entity. They want only to take, take and take but nothing to give in return. Palestinian entity proved beyond any reasonable doubt that they are the least serious about concluding the PEACE agreement with Israel. Their ultimate goal is the destruction of Israel. Israel of today is in much much better shape then it was at the beginning but pals conditioned by their leadership the same old lies and brainwashing prpapganda in hope of reaching their pestilent pathetic goal...

declare berlin, krakow, or moscow their capital? Because these enities of sovereign nations. So the moslems cherish jewish holy sites, they dont claim Abraham as their patriarch, but want all the benfits as they did, cant have it both ways!!!

Since when is renovating sites constitute an OFFENSE? Since when is Rachel venerated by Muslims? And even if she is, so is Jesus. Thereby, if Christian would claim ownership of a church venerating Jesus, would THAT offend Muslim sentiments? Apparently, everything does.

... at Wye Bibi conferred Hebron on the Pals, and now he's declaring the city an Israeli 'heritage site'... ... perhaps the whole of Palestine, together with the Pals, will now be decalred an Israeli 'heritage site'... ... it would make it simpler for the tourist guide-books...

all of us the present situation, should shoulder the responsibility for peace and, based on UNSC Resolution 242, assume control over most of the West Bank. But Jordan, strangely, refuses to assume control over the region also expects Israel to act at Jordan's will. It is time to implement 242, as is, and by so doing ensuring Jordan takes over most of the West Bank and Egypt the Gaza Strip.

The problem is revealed in blinding clarity; there is no acknowledgment among Islamic nations of the existence or past of the Jewish people and nation. Any Rights group or Political establishment that can support this racist position is a fraud.

And All Arab Historical Sites in Israel as Arab Heritage.

we will only criticize you from the sidelines... this is the only thing you ever hear from Arab states... besides Egypt which acts alongside Israel but since they are arabs they have a free pass