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Israeli wall around Rachel's Tomb to divide Bethlehem
2003-044-6
2/27/2003
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[Episcopal News Service]
Israel is preparing to build a security wall that will divide the birthplace of Jesus on the West Bank, on the grounds that it will safeguard a sacred Jewish religious shrine in Bethlehem. The move will divide Bethlehem's Palestinian areas and is likely to further isolate the town that is so holy for Christendom. For more than two years, few tourists have been to Bethlehem because of violent clashes in the town.
At issue is the site known as Rachel's Tomb, at the edge of the town which has become a frequent flash point of violence between the Israeli military and Palestinians. Israel plans to construct a barrier around 3.5 acres of land surrounding the tomb and also in other parts of the West Bank--an area inhabited mainly by Palestinians that was administered by Jordan until Israel occupied it in 1967. Visitors to the tomb, located on the main road leading to Bethlehem from Jerusalem, already have to cross an Israeli military checkpoint.
The Israeli government has approved a plan to build a 225-mile wall separating Palestinians from Israel and Jewish settlements as a security measure prompted by, among other things, suicide bombings.
The original shrine of Rachel's Tomb was built in the style of Muslim tombs and renovated in the 19th century by Sir Moses Montefiore, a Jewish philanthropist. He had in mind a place of worship for Jews and also Muslims, who also consider the site holy. But his work is no longer recognizable from the exterior. Five years ago, the Israeli government spent $2 million enclosing the tomb in a fortress-like complex of stone-faced concrete, topped with guard towers. Now Israel believes the fortified building is not enough and has issued a formal order for the seizure of land around it.
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