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Israel Supreme Court Permits Museum Construction Over Old Muslim Cemetery

By Howard M. Friedman

Israel's Supreme Court yesterday ruled that it would not block construction of a Museum of Tolerance on land in Jerusalem, despite objections by Muslims that the proposed building will cover part of an ancient Muslim ceremony. The International Herald Tribune reports that the court approved plans of the U.S.-based Simon Wiesenthal Center for the museum in part because Muslim groups raised no objections in 1960 when the city put a parking lot over part of the cemetery. The Court ordered the Museum to create a plan with the state Antiquities Authority to either remove human remains for reburial or to build a barrier between the museum foundation and the ground below to avoid disturbing graves. The cemetery is 300 to 400 years old, but fell out of use after 1948. A portion was sold in the 1930's with approval of a top Muslim cleric for construction of a hotel. The Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a release applauding the decision. (See prior related posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 30, 2008 (boomark / email).