Current+Issue+2

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8527532.stm Summary By Philippa Halliday The Tomb of the Patriarches and Rachel's Tomb are now going to be included in the restoration plan. Israel and Palestine have not been able to come to any sort of an agreement in over a year so this event has not helped the conflict between the two locations. These two landmarks are being torn by the issue of Israel and Palestine both wanting ownership on their property. Mr. Netanyahu unveiled the two additions to the national heritage list. Netanyahu said "The purpose of this list...is to single out sites that are of great importance to the Jewish people." The Tomb of the Patriarchs, which Muslims call the al-Ibrahimi mosque is where the Bible says Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were buried along with three of their wives. It has been a flashpoint for decades, with 500 Jewish settlers living in enclaves near the disputed site, surrounded by 170,000 Palestinians. The Tomb of Rachel is a shrine to the Biblical matriarch holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Close to 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem. They are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Reaction by David Hong This restoration plan that Israel government is proposing to the public is just ridiculous. When the government hopes eagerly to restore something that is not part of their land it will take any action. Because western powers are in the favor of Israel they aren't stepping in to the situation to ease the tension between Israel and Palestine. For a decade Palestine lost more than 50 percent of their land mass to Israel. Although the tombs of the Patriarches and Rachel is sacred to Israelities they are also important to Palestinians. Both of nations need to consider the opinions of each others citizens feeling and belief. It is irresponsible to just claim the restoration when landmarks are located in West Bank. Also recent Hamas's leader pass away by secret agents that are claimed to be sent by Israel. The tension between two nation is growing faster. United Nation need to step into the situation to prevent the death of citizens.