March 25, 2002
Israeli government halts construction on controversial Nazareth mosque
___JERUSALEM, Israel (BP)--The cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has halted construction of a mosque in Nazareth near the landmark Basilica of the Annunciation, where tradition holds the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would bear Jesus.
___The decision was prompted by "stiff pressure from the Vatican and a united front of Christian factions in the Holy Land," the New York Times reported.
___The decision, recommended by a special Israeli commission, reverses previous approvals of the mosque under Israeli governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak.
___"This decision shows tremendous wisdom and courage and should be applauded by Christians everywhere," said David Parsons, a spokesman for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. "It has reinforced our long-held confidence in Israel as the proper guardian of holy sites in the land and gives new impetus for Christians to stand in support of this embattled nation."
___According to a statement by the special Israeli commission, "Protection of the holy sites connotes not only physical security, but also being attuned to the sensitivities of all religious people worldwide."
___The commission was led by Natan Sharansky, Israel's minister of construction and housing.
___Parsons noted that aggressive efforts by a group known as the Islamic Movement to build a mosque on the site fits within a pattern of Muslim encroachment on biblical sites throughout the Israel, particularly the destruction of Jewish antiquities on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The resolution of the Nazareth dispute presents an opportune time to forge a collective Christian/Jewish stand against these encroachments, Parsons added.
___"Any Christian truly concerned about safeguarding our biblical heritage in Nazareth should be just as troubled by what has been happening on the Temple Mount," Parsons said. "Not only were the First and Second Temples located there, but also more events recorded in the New Testament occurred on the Temple Mount than any other single place in the land of Israel, making it a uniquely significant Bible site that must be preserved."
___Construction of the mosque, according to the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, began moving ahead "at break-neck speed" late last year--with the foundation already having been poured, despite lacking permits and a court injunction.
___Over the previous two months, the Sharansky commission had conducted a probe of the 5-year-old dispute, which included Easter 1999 street clashes between Muslims and Christians. The commission made on-site visits and heard testimony from both Muslim and Christian representatives.
___Muslim authorities reacted with anger to the Israeli cabinet decision. Local Islamic Movement leader Salman Abu Ahmed described it as a declaration of war and vowed to resist any attempts to remove them from the spot.
___"We defeated the Crusaders 800 years ago, and we will defeat the enemies of Islam today," Abu Ahmed charged.
___Abu Ahmed has largely blamed the decision on outside pressures brought by Pope John Paul II and U.S. President George W. Bush. "Tell the pope and Bush that the Muslims in Israel won't forgive them," Abu Ahmed said after the Israeli cabinet decision.
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