Originally published 26 September 2000
in AFP
JERUSALEM, Sept 26 (AFP) - A Jewish group whose goal is
to Judaize disputed east Jerusalem is preparing to move several couples into
a house used by a Jewish burial society in the sector, an AFP correspondent
reported Tuesday.
Eight
members of the Ateret Cohanim group began renovating the tumbledown cottage
on the edge of the Mount of Olives cemetery, the oldest and most sacred Jewish
cemetery, located in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and then
annexed.
The group is also patrolling the cemetery to prevent possible acts of vandalism.
"In several weeks, young couples will move into the house that we are renovating,'' Arie King, a leader of Ateret Cohanim, said.
The
group is funded by wealthy Jewish-American businessman Erwin Moskowitz, a
strong supporter of former right-wing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Moskowitz
was a Netanyahu campaign donor and has also purchased houses for Jews in
the Arab neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, which is several hundred meters (yards)
away from the Mount of Olives cemetery.
Israel says east Jerusalem
will remain part of its united capital, Jerusalem. But the Palestinians say
the sector will be the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Copyright 2000, AFP
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
|
