Jerusalem’s Mamilla Cemetery special report: tolerance takes its toll
Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:32PM Haaretz: Skeletons, High Court rulings, bigwigs embroiled in other scandals, a world-famous architect and some Hollywood panache − all are part of the story of the Museum of Tolerance, slated for one of the most sensitive parts of Jerusalem: on top of a Muslim cemetery. For the first time, Haaretz reveals evidence of a highly dubious, five-month rescue excavation that took place secretly on the site, plus other previously unknown details. A three-part saga.
IOA Editor: This important Haaretz investigative report consists of six articles covering different aspects of the development of the Jewish “Museum of Tolerance” to be constructed atop the historic Muslim Mamilla Cemetery. The Haaretz Hebrew website series is entitled (as of 18 May 2010)“Museum of Intolerance” and the English website series is entitled “Museum of Tolerance Special Report.” The latter version is included on the pages of the IOA.
Why is this report important? The Mamilla Cemetery is a Muslim cemetery with thousands of grave sites that go back some 1200 years. Grave sites are sacred to both Islam and Judaism. This case demonstrates vividly how important it is for Israel to eradicate every possible trace of Palestinian life from the history of Palestine – chapters of history that document non-Jewish life – and doing so even at the risk of embarrassment and international criticism. And while the erasure of the history of the Palestinian dead is important, it actually compliments a far greater injustice: the razing of some 500 Palestinian villages by Israel during the 1948 Nakba and the Occupation.
As is often the case, Haaretz’ two language versions need not be the same and, as indicated by the different series headers, the English version may be toned-down or lack important details, sometimes those that are more critical of Israel than the Haaretz editors wish to publish outside of Israel.
Museum of Tolerance project groundbreaking, 2004 (from left): architect Frank Gehry, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rabbi Marvin Hier and Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski
FOLLOW UP
Following Haaretz report: Arabs to resume Museum of Tolerance battle
Nir Hasson: What to do with the graves?
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz – 18 May 2010
www.haaretz.com/museum-of-tolerance-special-report-introduction-tolerance-takes-its-toll-1.290946
Haaretz reveals evidence of a highly dubious, five-month rescue excavation that took place secretly on the site of the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem, plus other previously unknown details.
Skeletons, High Court rulings, bigwigs embroiled in other scandals, a world-famous architect and some Hollywood panache − all are part of the story of the Museum of Tolerance, slated for one of the most sensitive parts of Jerusalem: on top of a Muslim cemetery.
For the first time, Haaretz reveals evidence of a highly dubious, five-month rescue excavation that took place secretly on the site, plus other previously unknown details. A three-part saga.
This feature was produced with the assistance of Natasha Mozgovaya, Esther Zandberg, Maya Zinshtein, Yarden Skoop and Aviv Shmider
NEXT: Part I – Holes, Holiness and Hollywood
Haaretz Special Report
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Introduction
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Part I – Holes, Holiness and Hollywood
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Part II – Secrets from the grave
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Part III – Response to the revelations
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Part IV – An exhibition of Zionism
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Part V – Time to bury the project with the bones
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Part VI – Emotional games
Mamilla Cemetery Special Report: Original Report (Hebrew)
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FOLLOW UP
Following Haaretz report: Arabs to resume Museum of Tolerance battle
Nir Hasson: What to do with the graves?
Complete list of coverage of the Mamilla Cemetery case on the IOA