BADIL

Descendants File Protest with United Nations over Israeli Plans to Build on 12th Century Muslim Cemetery

Simon Wiesenthal Center Intends “Museum of Tolerance” for Site Despite Desecration

Press Conferences in Jerusalem, Geneva and Los Angeles

February 8, 2010, New York, Jerusalem, Geneva, Los Angeles – On Wednesday, February 10, parties involved with defending a 12th Century Muslim cemetery from desecration by Israeli authorities and developers will bring their case to the United Nations and hold press conferences in Geneva, Jerusalem and Los Angeles. The filing will take place in Geneva; the cemetery, Ma´man Allah, is in Jerusalem; and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which has plans to build a Museum of Tolerance on the site, is based in Los Angeles. The Center for Constitutional Rights in New York is representing descendants, including 60 signatories from 15 of the oldest Jerusalem families with ancestors going back to the 12th century.

This will be the first known time Palestinian individuals have taken collective action against Israel to bring such an issue before a UN forum and comes after all remedies in Israel were exhausted. The families, NGO’s and attorneys argue the desecration of the cemetery violates international conventions protecting cultural heritage, the manifestation of religious beliefs, and the right to family. The plan to build a Museum of Tolerance over the remains of important Muslim figures and men, women and children buried there over the course of more than eight hundred years has faced widespread opposition from Muslim, Christian and Jewish personalities in Israel, Palestine and around the world. Frank Gehry, the original architect for the museum, has withdrawn his designs and his participation in the project.

WHEN: 11 am, Wednesday, February 10
WHERE: Alhambra Palace (Alhamra Cinema), 34 Salah Eddin Street, East Jerusalem
WHO: Representatives of descendants of those buried in the cemetery