East Jerusalem riot as synagogue reopens

By Jeremy Last - Tuesday 16th March 2010


Hundreds of Palestinians hurled stones and smoke bombs at Israeli soldiers on Tuesday in an organised "day of rage" against the dedication of a rebuilt synagogue in Jerusalem’s Old City

Spurred on by rumours that Israeli Jews were planning to try and take over the Dome of the Rock complex and build a new Temple, East Jerusalem was filled with demonstrators.

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Hamas called for a “day of rage” and their supporters eagerly responded throughout the Arab neighbourhoods, injuring a number of police officers in the process.

The Hurva synagogue was the central Jewish prayer house in Palestine from when it was built for a second time in 1864 till the War of Independence of 1948. After the Jordanians won control of the Old City they intentionally blew up the synagogue and it remained a ruin even after Israel regained the area in 1967.

In 2000 the Israeli government gave approval for the synagogue to be rebuilt in its original 19th century style, and the project was completed on Monday with a festive rededication ceremony.

Despite the lack of evidence pointing to any connection between the newly rebuilt synagogue and the Temple Mount, Hamas and other Palestinian leaders were quick to fan the flames of discontent.

Dr. Ahmed Abu Halabiya, who heads the Gaza—based al-Quds International Institution, warned that the reopening of Hurva synagogue was “part of an Israeli plan to erect a Jewish temple on al-Aqsa ruins.”

And Fatah’s former prime minister Ahmed Qurei said the synagogue reconstruction was a "dangerous program" intent on "Judaizing" Jerusalem and falsify history.

Qurei even claimed that “regardless of whether we take the decision or not, it [an intifada] is coming. If Israel continues these practices, it is coming.”
"Jerusalem is exposed to an unprecedented danger which targets its land, people, holy sites, heritage and history," he added.

The Monday night ceremony was addressed by a number of leading Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who did his best to divert attention away from the tense political situation and extend the hand of peace to the local Muslims in a video message.

"I know many are moved by this moment, and rightly so. But we're not the only ones moved by our faith. We have enabled adherents of other religions to restore their places of worship as well. We proudly uphold our heritage, we have returned to our cities, and we also give the same freedom of worship to other religions," Netanyahu said.

Others were less conciliatory, however, with Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin referring to the controversy over an announcement last week of a new building project in the Ramat Shlomo area of east Jerusalem.

“Nothing is more just than our hold of Jerusalem. Nothing is more ethical than our right to build in Jerusalem – in all of Jerusalem, east and west at any time,” he said.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Brazil were strained this week after right-wing Foreign Minister Avigdor boycotted a Knesset speech given by the president of the South American state.

Lieberman was apparently protesting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s decision to visit the grave of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah while avoiding the tomb of Zionist leader Theodore Herzl.

Despite Lieberman’s stand, da Silva’s trip to the holy land was considered a success and saw the South American politician call for peace in the region.

"In Brazil, 10 million Arabs live in harmony with thousands of Jews," he said on Monday. "We hope for this to be used as a metaphor for seeking deep understanding in the Middle East."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the need to stand up against Iranian threats.

"I believe that the Iranian authorities represent entirely different values than you do," Netanyahu said while addressing da Silva.

"They represent tyranny and cruelty, you represent openness and tolerance. They honor death and you celebrate life. Iran denies the Holocaust, calls for the destruction of Israel, is developing nuclear weapons and supports terrorist organizations.”

Earlier Monday da Silva met with his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres and announced a free trade agreement between Israel and he also announced that Brazil has given its final approval for a free-trade agreement between Israel and the Mercosur Southern Common Market.

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