WEST BANK: Israeli blockade across Palestinian territories stops Jewish pilgrims celebrating Passover from reaching the Angel Synagogue in Jericho

Record ID: 560053

  • Title: WEST BANK: Israeli blockade across Palestinian territories stops Jewish pilgrims celebrating Passover from reaching the Angel Synagogue in Jericho
  • Date: 21st April 2008
  • Summary: TAHA AND OTHERS INSIDE THE SYNAGOGUE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPUTY PALESTINIAN TOURISM MINSTER HAMDAN TAHA, SAYING: "It is one of the historical sites. We treat it like other sites, as part of the history of civilisation, but concerning visitors, there used to be a large number of Jewish visitors who used to come here, and it was always open."
  • Embargoed: 6th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA9LVCO6U3V5E6092JC0XXK0LB
  • Story Text: The Israeli blockade on the Palestinian territories prevents Israelis from entering the West Bank, as well as restricting Palestinian movement.
    Jewish pilgrims celebrating Passover were recently denied access to the Angel's Synagogue in Jericho, where they have traditionally prayed at this time of year.
    For the fifth consecutive year Jewish pilgrims have not been allowed to enter the closed area 'A', which is under Palestinian Authority control.
    "Many Jews used to visit this site, which was always open, and there is another Synagogue located in the Dyouk area, as well as other archaeological sites. The situation changed because of the circumstances which came to be after the Intifada, and especially after 2002, 2003, with the new security circumstances which were imposed in Jericho and the closure of the territories," said Deputy Palestinian Tourism Minister Hamdan Taha.
    Around 500 Jewish worshippers used to visit the site annually under Israeli security with a co-ordination with Palestinian forces.
    "It is one of the historical sites. We treat it like other sites, as part of the history of civilisation, but concerning visitors, there used to be a large number of Jewish visitors who used to come here, and it was always open," Taha said.
    The Synagogue has a mosaic floor, dating back to the 7th Century, which shows a menorah and the description in the Aramaic language reads 'Peace on Israel'.
    "What makes this place special is that it has a mosaic floor which shows an aspect of the history of Palestinian civilisation, which used to embrace synagogues, mosques and churches. It represents the richness of Palestinian history," Taha said.
    The synagogue is now closed for repairs, required as age takes its toll on the ancient building.
    Since the uprising in 2000, Israel has built hundreds of checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank, home to 2.5 million Palestinians.
    It says the barriers stop suicide bombers from reaching its cities.
    Palestinians, who want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, say checkpoints and the barrier amount to collective punishment.
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