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Photo: Gil Yohanan
Peres.'We shall fix wrong doing'
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Photo: Gil Yohanan
'Peace is possible'
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Peres says Israel will fix violations of Muslim holy sites

During official ceremony Islamic court president claims Muslim holy sites suffer violations. 'If there are violations we are obligated to fix them' President Peres replies

"If there are wrongdoings it is our duty to fix them. We shall do it to the best of our abilities in accordance with state law," President Shimon Peres said Sunday referring to claims that Muslim holy sites are being violated. The statements were made during a swearing in ceremony of Islamic judges.

 

During the ceremony, President of the Islamic Court Sheikh Ahmed Natour stated that, "There are severe violations of holy Muslim sites, many mosques are closing and cemeteries desecrated."

 

"It is one of the deepest wounds of the Muslim society in Israel," Natour added.

 

He also stated "I pray that we find reasonable people in Israel that will say 'no more', holy sites must be respected everywhere."


Swearing in ceremony of Islamic judges (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

President Peres responded to the claims and said, "We are all obligated to be mutually respectful and bring about harmony between Isaac and Ishmael. I believe that peace and reconciliation between Jews and Muslims isn't only possible and just - as living together is - but is also a moral obligation which stems from history and religious principals interwoven in both religions' scriptures."

 

Peres added that he deeply appreciates the great Islamic civilization and that what is sacred to one religion should be sacred to all religions.

 

In the backdrop of recent unrest over the Temple Mount, the president has been engaging in efforts to calm tensions between Muslims and Jews.

 

During a meeting with senior haredi Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Peres said, "Israel faces many challenges, and one of them is preventing the deterioration of the tension in Jerusalem to the point of a religious war. In all matters related to the Temple Mount, the inciters can set the whole thing on fire."

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.11.09, 18:33
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