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Photos of Israeli Authorities inside the Al Araqib cemetery: Rabbis for Human Rights

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by Chris Carlson - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

The Israeli military abducted, on Tuesday, three young Palestinians from Tkou' village, east of Bethlehem.

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Earlier on Monday, an Israeli military unit responsible for demolishing houses in the Negev, known as "Yoav", desecrated the Islamic cemetery in Al-Araqeb, the Land Research Center said in a press release.

According to the LRC, soldiers entered the cemetery under the pretext of taking pictures of the mosque and minaret. However, their real intention was (and still is) to wipe out Al Araqeb and displace its inhabitants, so that they can have control over the land. For that, they have been trying to erase every Arabic presence from the area.

People of Al-Araqeb tried to defy the members of the unit. The latter told them that: "You do not have any sanctuaries here, since all this land is ours."

It should be noted that Al-Araqeb, which is located in the Palestinian Negev, was a target for Israeli house demolition operations more than 65 times! It is inhabited by 22 families consisting of around 130 people, more than half of whom are children.

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Letter to Israeli Authorities regarding their entry into Al Araqib cemetery

by Rabbis for Human Rights
11 March 2014

Yesterday, in an unprecedented event, the Israeli Authorities entered the cemetery of Al-Araqib. Although the village has been demolished 65 times, there has always been respect for the sanctity of the cemetery and the authorities have never before entered it. In response, Rabbi Ascherman wrote a letter (below, followed by photos) to the appropriate authorities demanding an explanation, an apology and a promise that it will not happen again.

March 10, 2014

Minister of Domestic Security – Mr. Yitzhak Aharonovitz
Minister of Agriculture and Development – Mr. Yair Shamir
Police Commissioner – Inspector General Yohanan Danino
The Green Patrol
Director of the Bedouin Administration

Dear Sirs,

We were shocked to learn today that the Green Patrol, the Israeli Police and other forces entered the Al-Araqib cemetery grounds. As you know, despite more than 65 demolition actions outside of the grounds in the past, police, Green Patrol and Israel Land Administration forces have always respected the sanctity of the cemetery. As rabbis, we protest the desecration of this sacred ground. As a people who suffers to this day from the desecration of our holy sites, we demand respect of the sanctity of the holy sites of other faiths, as we have always promised.

The forces on the ground refused to answer the residents when they were asked to explain their actions. Therefore, we request an explanation to the residents and to us of the purpose of today’s invasion of the cemetery grounds. The residents deserve an apology and a promise that such an action will not be repeated, or at least a promise that the State does not intend to harm the cemetery or the structures on its grounds. An explanation, an apology and a promise would go a long way to calm the uproar.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Arik Ascherman
Senior Rabbi and President
Rabbis for Human Rights