Aletho News

ΑΛΗΘΩΣ

Palestinians slam City of David as East Jerusalem parking lot caves in

By Nir Hasson – Haaretz – 01/03/2010

A section of an East Jerusalem mosque parking lot collapsed on Monday, in what local Palestinian residents are saying is proof that archeological digs in the area are putting residents’ homes at risk.

The 4-meter deep pit was created near a mosque in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, in a parking lot serving worshipers, located near a local kindergarten.

Two months ago, the Supreme Court rejected a petition against the dig directed by Elad, the nonprofit organization that runs the City of David in East Jerusalem and, submitted by Palestinian residents, saying the archeological digs did not jeopardize Silwan houses or local roads.

The City of David is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Israel, and Elad is in charge not only of operating the site, but also of conducting archaeological digs there.

Its leftist critics charge that it exploits archaeology in order to Judaize the neighborhood and embitter the lives of its Palestinian residents.

Elad counters that local Palestinians have also benefited from the City of David’s success as a tourist site.

March 1, 2010 - Posted by | Illegal Occupation

No comments yet.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.