Ami Isseroff roept op om de UNESCO te schrijven in verband met vernielingen aan een belangrijk en historisch Joods monument in Irak, het graf en de tempel van de profeet Ezekiel. De huidige regering van Irak is, net als Saddam Hoessein, anti-Joods. Zo mogen Joden Irak niet binnen noch er land bezitten, ondanks de grote bijdrage die de Joodse gemeenschap aan het land heeft geleverd.
RP
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Below is a letter sent to the Director General of UNESCO concerning the attempt by the Iraqi government to rob the Jewish people - and the world's historical heritage, of the historic shrine of the prophet Ezekiel. It is not the first time that Muslim rulers have had designs on this Jewish holy site. Centuries ago, Muslims concocted a "study" that "proved" that the shrine was really a mosque which the Jews, in violation of their dhimmi status, had turned into a shrine that is the supposed grave of Ezekiel.
Below the letter there is an article providing background on the issue. Please write to UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova at 1, rue Mollis, Paris 75732, France i.bokova@unesco.org to show that there are people who care about this issue. Americans should be particularly concerned that this barbaric violation of religious tolerance, not too far removed from the Taleban destruction of ancient statues of Buddha, is being done by a government put in place by the American military and supported by US tax dollars.
Please use your own words and do not send an exact copy of this letter.
Thank you.
Ami Isseroff
=================
Director General of UNESCO
Paris
FRANCE
Dear Mrs Bokova,
I was troubled to see reports that the Shrine of the Prophet Ezekiel in present-day Iraq, is being divested of its original Jewish character.
This 2,500 year old holy place predates both Christianity and Islam, although it is venerated by all monotheists. Ezekiel was a devout Jew; he spoke in Hebrew and his message was first heard by the Children of Israel, to whom he brought the Lord's word.
Although the significance of his words is universal, and I am glad to know that pilgrimage to the site is not limited to the adherents of any one religion, I feel it would be unjust for the origins of the Prophet Ezekiel to be overshadowed, or forgotten.
In the present situation in the Middle East, it is difficult to predict when Jewish pilgrims will be able to enter Iraq in safety, to visit the shrine of Ezekiel and other holy sites there. It would be very sad if the Jewish connection were to be erased and forgotten.
As director general of UNESCO, I hope you will be able to ensure that the site is saved, perhaps by a decision to proclaim it a World Heritage Site.
Yours sincerely,
XXX
"Behold, all souls are mine....if a man be just and do that which is lawful and right... and hath not oppressed any, but that hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled not by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry and hath covered the naked... that hath withdrawn from iniquity, hath executed true judgement between man and man... to deal truly... he shall surely live, saith the Lord God."
(From Ezekiel, Chapter 18)
----------
From Point of No Return
http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2010/01/ezekiels-shrine-has-suffered.html
Eyewitnesses have now confirmed Israeli press reports that irreversible damage has been done to the Jewish character of the ancient shrine of the biblical Prophet Ezekiel at al-Kifl south of Baghdad. Workmen have painted over age-old Hebrew inscriptions.
Professor Shmuel Moreh, chairman of the Association of Academics from Iraq in Israel, who raised the alarm, received the following message from a friend:
" The tomb is safe. However, the Hebrew inscriptions were removed not by intention, but as a result of building and reconstruction in the tomb itself. The unskilled workers are unaware of the significance of these inscriptions, so they cover them with paint or build upon them. In such case the damage and our loss is great and irreversible."
Following articles on Ur News <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/12/hebrew-at-al-kifl-shrine-to-be-erased.html> , Point of No Return here <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2010/01/save-ezekiels-tomb-before-its-too-late.html> and here <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/09/muslims-planning-mosque-on-tomb-of.html> , <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/09/muslims-planning-mosque-on-tomb-of.html> in the blogosphere, in The Jerusalem Post <http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1263147896786&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull> and Ynet News <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3832780,00.html> , Iraqi TV News showed (old) footage of undamaged upper inscriptions and blamed Saddam's Ba'ath regime for whitewashing the lower part of the Hebrew inscriptions. However, it seems that the upper inscriptions have also now been covered over.
Professor Shmuel Moreh is trying, besides raising a worldwide media campaign, to find a way to reach the Iraqi authorities. He wishes to ask them to investigate the damage and urge that the reconstruction of the tomb be entrusted to UNESCO in order to stop further damage. " The world can't stay indifferent towards the destruction of one of the oldest and most sacred and important shrines in the world," he says. To contact the Director General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova, please write to her at 1, rue Mollis, Paris 75732, France
(i.bokova@unesco.org).
When Iraq still had a Jewish community, the shrine of Ezekiel was one of the most important Jewish sites in Iraq. Some 5,000 Jewish pilgrims used to visit the prophet's tomb at Passover. They would stay in accommodation adjoining the shrine. Thousands of Jews lived and owned land in the town of al-Kifl.
On a visit to the tomb in 1910, <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/09/next-friday-jews-will-celebrate-new.html> David Solomon Sassoon wrote in his diary: "the lovely building over the grave is extremely old, built from very big stones said to be the work of King Jehoachim. Above the doorway was a plaque dated 1809/10, which has inscribed on it – 'this is the tomb of our master Yehezkel the prophet, the son of Buzi the Kohen, may his merit shield us and all Israel. Amen."
"The room with the grave is very high and has flowers painted on the walls and the names of important visitors to the grave. It is mentioned that my grandfather David Sassoon repaired the building in 1859. The grave is very large: 12 feet 9 inches long, 5 feet 3 inches wide and 5 feet 1 inch high. It is covered with a decorated Parochet, which was sent by David Sassoon from Bombay. It is also written on the walls of the visit of Menahem Saleh Daniel to the grave in 1897/8 and his donation to redecorate the grave. Nearby, another room has five tombs of Geonim (Sages)."
Paris
FRANCE
Dear Mrs Bokova,
I was troubled to see reports that the Shrine of the Prophet Ezekiel in present-day Iraq, is being divested of its original Jewish character.
This 2,500 year old holy place predates both Christianity and Islam, although it is venerated by all monotheists. Ezekiel was a devout Jew; he spoke in Hebrew and his message was first heard by the Children of Israel, to whom he brought the Lord's word.
Although the significance of his words is universal, and I am glad to know that pilgrimage to the site is not limited to the adherents of any one religion, I feel it would be unjust for the origins of the Prophet Ezekiel to be overshadowed, or forgotten.
In the present situation in the Middle East, it is difficult to predict when Jewish pilgrims will be able to enter Iraq in safety, to visit the shrine of Ezekiel and other holy sites there. It would be very sad if the Jewish connection were to be erased and forgotten.
As director general of UNESCO, I hope you will be able to ensure that the site is saved, perhaps by a decision to proclaim it a World Heritage Site.
Yours sincerely,
XXX
"Behold, all souls are mine....if a man be just and do that which is lawful and right... and hath not oppressed any, but that hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled not by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry and hath covered the naked... that hath withdrawn from iniquity, hath executed true judgement between man and man... to deal truly... he shall surely live, saith the Lord God."
(From Ezekiel, Chapter 18)
----------
From Point of No Return
http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2010/01/ezekiels-shrine-has-suffered.html
Eyewitnesses have now confirmed Israeli press reports that irreversible damage has been done to the Jewish character of the ancient shrine of the biblical Prophet Ezekiel at al-Kifl south of Baghdad. Workmen have painted over age-old Hebrew inscriptions.
Professor Shmuel Moreh, chairman of the Association of Academics from Iraq in Israel, who raised the alarm, received the following message from a friend:
" The tomb is safe. However, the Hebrew inscriptions were removed not by intention, but as a result of building and reconstruction in the tomb itself. The unskilled workers are unaware of the significance of these inscriptions, so they cover them with paint or build upon them. In such case the damage and our loss is great and irreversible."
Following articles on Ur News <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/12/hebrew-at-al-kifl-shrine-to-be-erased.html> , Point of No Return here <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2010/01/save-ezekiels-tomb-before-its-too-late.html> and here <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/09/muslims-planning-mosque-on-tomb-of.html> , <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/09/muslims-planning-mosque-on-tomb-of.html> in the blogosphere, in The Jerusalem Post <http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1263147896786&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull> and Ynet News <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3832780,00.html> , Iraqi TV News showed (old) footage of undamaged upper inscriptions and blamed Saddam's Ba'ath regime for whitewashing the lower part of the Hebrew inscriptions. However, it seems that the upper inscriptions have also now been covered over.
Professor Shmuel Moreh is trying, besides raising a worldwide media campaign, to find a way to reach the Iraqi authorities. He wishes to ask them to investigate the damage and urge that the reconstruction of the tomb be entrusted to UNESCO in order to stop further damage. " The world can't stay indifferent towards the destruction of one of the oldest and most sacred and important shrines in the world," he says. To contact the Director General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova, please write to her at 1, rue Mollis, Paris 75732, France
(i.bokova@unesco.org).
When Iraq still had a Jewish community, the shrine of Ezekiel was one of the most important Jewish sites in Iraq. Some 5,000 Jewish pilgrims used to visit the prophet's tomb at Passover. They would stay in accommodation adjoining the shrine. Thousands of Jews lived and owned land in the town of al-Kifl.
On a visit to the tomb in 1910, <http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2009/09/next-friday-jews-will-celebrate-new.html> David Solomon Sassoon wrote in his diary: "the lovely building over the grave is extremely old, built from very big stones said to be the work of King Jehoachim. Above the doorway was a plaque dated 1809/10, which has inscribed on it – 'this is the tomb of our master Yehezkel the prophet, the son of Buzi the Kohen, may his merit shield us and all Israel. Amen."
"The room with the grave is very high and has flowers painted on the walls and the names of important visitors to the grave. It is mentioned that my grandfather David Sassoon repaired the building in 1859. The grave is very large: 12 feet 9 inches long, 5 feet 3 inches wide and 5 feet 1 inch high. It is covered with a decorated Parochet, which was sent by David Sassoon from Bombay. It is also written on the walls of the visit of Menahem Saleh Daniel to the grave in 1897/8 and his donation to redecorate the grave. Nearby, another room has five tombs of Geonim (Sages)."
It is feared that unless action is taken at once, UNESCO may feel that damage to the shrine may become too extensive to declare it a World Heritage site. This happened in Babylon, not far away from al-Kifl, where Saddam erased priceless traces of the ancient site when he built his modern palace.
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