Rabbi Nachman Holtzberg, whose son Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg was murdered along with his wife Rivka in the Mumbai terrorist attacks, sent an urgent letter to outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday in a plea to stop plans to expel the Jewish residents of the Hevron Peace House.
"At the same time we are mourning for our dear children…who merited in their lives and in their deaths to bring wonderful unity to the People of Israel and to bring everyone closer in love and truth, and who were sacrificed on the holy altar of the Almighty before the eyes of every nation, …we plead in every way possible that you not carry out any action that will polarize and cause a schism to the People of Israel, that would cause in the time of mourning of all the People of Israel.
"We hope you will take into consideration the feelings of the family and the public."
The grieving father also took the opportunity to thank the Israeli government for its help in identifying the bodies of the Jewish victims of the Mumbai attacks and in bringing them to Israel for burial.
The office of the Prime Minister confirmed that it had received the letter, which was written in Hebrew.
The Olmert government has ordered the expulsion of more than 20 permanent families and hundreds of supporters who have crowded into the building since the High Court ruled that authorities have the legal option of expelling the Jews until a civil court determines the issue of ownership. Arabs claim that purchase of the structure by Jews was forged.
However, government officials, including ministers, and several media sources incorrectly disseminated news that the court had ordered the expulsion of the Jewish residents.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with Hevron Jewish leaders this week in an effort to calm the rage that has followed the government actions.
Altercations between Jews and Arabs again broke out Monday night. Jewish youths said a Jewish man was attacked by Arabs and required medical care. Police failed to protect him or to detain his attackers, they said.
