Ashkelon, Israel – The ancient tombs near the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon which were at the heart of a national controversy will be removed in the near future, possibly next week, a specially designated committee created by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided today.
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During the committee meeting, headed by Prime Minister’s Office Director General Eyal Gabay, it was decided in accordance with Netanyahu’s instruction that the construction of the new emergency room at the original site should commence as soon as possible.
This was made possible due to the revocation of a former government decision to relocate the emergency room to an alternate location due to the existence of ancient tombs on the site. The procedure would have cost the government an extra NIS 90 million (roughly $24 million) in budget funds.
The committee includes representatives of Israel’s Antiquities Authority and the Health Ministry.
Another proposal was raised by haredi officials during the meeting, suggesting to build the ER above and below the graves, in such a way as would not require their removal, (as was reported here on Vos Iz Neias). The proposal was rejected by the Health Ministry officials.
According to one estimate, the removal of the graves will commence as early as next Sunday.
The Barzilai ER construction plans were approved more than a year and a half ago and their implementation only awaits the relocation of the graves.
The ultra-Orthodox website Behadrei Haredim posted an invitation calling on the haredi public to organize a protest. Meanwhile, the Atra Kadisha organization heading the struggle against the graves’ removal is coordinating a meeting in Jerusalem to decide on future steps.
The needs of the living will be taken care of and the graves will be moved in a dignifed way.
Boruch Hashem,Torah and halacha won out over politics!
Is this a jewish state? Why moving away our holy graves? We all must come out to a mass protest
Give back isreal to the arabs, if we not keeping the Torah laws what’s the point of a jewish state?
They will be moved in a dignified way if the Haredi will allow dignitiy.
I would not want to work in a hospital that is built over or under non-Jewish graves!
These are NOT JEWISH graves!!! It was muttar to move them from day one!!!
I cant belive what im actually reading here and all the commentators like cold as can be whats with you!? Is this a jewish state!? Is this people with jewish blood in them witch have no problem that the graves of there holy forefathers will be digged up with such shame (even if its a “ספק” that it might be our great holy rabbis) cause of some crazy politics shame on you shame on me that im living in such sad times! Im shocked totally shocked on this whole situation this is not a joke there are our forefathers I dont know I have no more words to say!