For the third day in a row, residents of Kiryat Arba and Hevron refuse to "accept the decree" and continue to try to rebuild the destroyed Hazon David synagogue. Earlier this year, the government determined that a tent standing between Kiryat Arba and Hevron was an "illegal outpost," and two days ago, after several weeks of legal wrangling, forces were finally sent in to destroy it. The tent has been used for almost three years as a synagogue and study hall, in memory of David Cohen of Gush Etzion, who was murdered by Palestinian terrorists in that area in July 2001.
This morning, the IDF brought tractors and other heavy equipment to destroy a stone wall that the residents built in the area yesterday. Shortly afterwards, dozens of Jews arrived once again and began rebuilding it. Several Jews have been arrested in the course of the three days of violent struggle over the site, and one policeman and several residents were injured. The Jewish pioneers have placed a sign at the site, reading, "A synagogue will be built here."
Next week, during the Passover holiday, the Hevron Jewish Community is expecting up to 20,000 people to visit the city - as have done so on previous holidays. The entire Machpelah Cave will be open to Jewish visitors on Wednesday and Thursday, including the Isaac Hall that is generally open only to Moslems. On Thursday, the Hevron Music Festival will take place in the courtyard outside the Machpelah Cave. For details, see "www.hebron.com/news/pesach5764.htm".
In another Holy Land hot-spot of Jewish settlement, police continue to protect the approximately 20 Jews who have moved in to the area known as the Yemenite Village in the Shiloach (Silwan) area of eastern Jerusalem. The Committee for the Renewal of the Jewish Community in Shiloach recently secretly purchased a six-floor building, and moved this week into both it and an adjacent building. A third building has also been purchased, and all three are located on Jewish-owned land in the very crowded Shiloach neighborhood, noted for its narrow streets, tightly-packed buildings, and long Jewish history. The new residents were greeted by rocks and bottles, and firebombs ready for use were found on the roof of a nearby building. Tensions have since calmed down, and the Committee will be sponsoring walking tours of the old-new Jewish neighborhood next week.
Today's Moslem prayers on the Temple Mount did not end peacefully. Thousands of worshipers hurled rocks at police and then holed themselves up inside the Mosque of Omar. Police first used stun grenades and rubber shots (not bullets), and then finally broke into the mosque and began escorting the rioters out. A dozen Arabs were arrested, and no injuries were reported.
This morning, the IDF brought tractors and other heavy equipment to destroy a stone wall that the residents built in the area yesterday. Shortly afterwards, dozens of Jews arrived once again and began rebuilding it. Several Jews have been arrested in the course of the three days of violent struggle over the site, and one policeman and several residents were injured. The Jewish pioneers have placed a sign at the site, reading, "A synagogue will be built here."
Next week, during the Passover holiday, the Hevron Jewish Community is expecting up to 20,000 people to visit the city - as have done so on previous holidays. The entire Machpelah Cave will be open to Jewish visitors on Wednesday and Thursday, including the Isaac Hall that is generally open only to Moslems. On Thursday, the Hevron Music Festival will take place in the courtyard outside the Machpelah Cave. For details, see "www.hebron.com/news/pesach5764.htm".
In another Holy Land hot-spot of Jewish settlement, police continue to protect the approximately 20 Jews who have moved in to the area known as the Yemenite Village in the Shiloach (Silwan) area of eastern Jerusalem. The Committee for the Renewal of the Jewish Community in Shiloach recently secretly purchased a six-floor building, and moved this week into both it and an adjacent building. A third building has also been purchased, and all three are located on Jewish-owned land in the very crowded Shiloach neighborhood, noted for its narrow streets, tightly-packed buildings, and long Jewish history. The new residents were greeted by rocks and bottles, and firebombs ready for use were found on the roof of a nearby building. Tensions have since calmed down, and the Committee will be sponsoring walking tours of the old-new Jewish neighborhood next week.
Today's Moslem prayers on the Temple Mount did not end peacefully. Thousands of worshipers hurled rocks at police and then holed themselves up inside the Mosque of Omar. Police first used stun grenades and rubber shots (not bullets), and then finally broke into the mosque and began escorting the rioters out. A dozen Arabs were arrested, and no injuries were reported.