Monday, January 25, 2010

Tomb of Ezekiel Watch

TOMB OF EZEKIEL WATCH: The Iraqi Government seems to be on the defensive regarding the desecration of Ezekiel's (traditional) Tomb in Al-Kifl. Good. Haaretz reports:
Iraqi workers erased an ancient Hebrew inscription from the tomb of biblical prophet Ezekiel while renovating a nearby mosque, Army Radio reported on Sunday.

[...]

Iraq maintains that the damage was done unintentionally by untrained workers. Professor [Shmuel] Morre [of Hebrew University], however, is skeptical. "I urge UNESCO to supervise the renovations and to have them carried out by professionals and not simple workers," Morre told Army Radio.
[...]

According to Army Radio, the Iraqi government dispelled claims the damage was done on purpose, and asserted that it sees the Jewish sites as assets important for tourism. It maintains that the incident isn't only damaging to Jewish history, but is also harmful to the interests of the Iraqi government
Yes, I would say so. I'm glad they're catching on to that.

Background here and keep following the links back. For what seems to be the now-erased Hebrew inscription, see here. I've posted a transcription and translation, but the pictures I had linked to are now gone.