Egypt scraps synagogue ceremony in Jerusalem
EGYPT: Egypt cancelled the formal opening on Sunday of a renovated
19th-century synagogue in Cairo in protest at what antiquities chief
Zahi Hawass called “provocative” Jewish and Israeli actions. Both Hawass
and Culture Minister Faruq Hosni had been due to attend the event a week
to the day after 150 people, including rabbis and the US and Israeli
ambassadors, attended the rededication of the Maimonides synagogue.
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Synagogue
* Egypt cancelled the formal
opening in protest
* Cancellation cames after
provocative acts during the March 7 ceremony in Cairo’s
ancient jewish quarter |
Citing press reports, Hawass said in a statement that the
cancellation comes after “provocative” acts during the March 7 ceremony
in Cairo’s ancient Jewish quarter.
He referred to “dancing and drinking alcohol in the synagogue, as
reported by several newspapers,” and said such acts “were seen to
provoke the feelings of millions of Muslims in Egypt and across the
world.” The decision was also taken at “a time when Muslim holy sites in
occupied Palestine face assaults from Israeli occupation forces and
settlers,” Hawass said.
He was referring to clashes at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound
and plans to include two contested West Bank holy shrines on a list of
Israeli heritage sites.
However, the antiquities supremo also said Egypt took an interest in
“all Islamic, Coptic and Jewish antiquities on its territory,” because
all were part of the country’s heritage. “These projects are overseen by
the Supreme Council of Antiquities without funds from abroad or from
foreigners or Jews,” Hawass said of work to restore Jewish sites. The
Maimonides synagogue, known in Egypt by its Arabic name of Musa bin
Maymun, is named after the 12th century Jewish scholar, philosopher and
physician.
Egypt began restoration work on Jewish sites several years ago.
The country restored diplomatic ties with Israel in 1979, but many in
the predominantly Muslim nation are against better cultural ties with
the Jewish state.
The authorities are generally discreet about restoration work on
Jewish sites, fearing an adverse reaction from groups that oppose
normalisation of ties with Israel.
Egypt’s Jewish population, which numbered in the tens of thousands
and enjoyed complete religious freedom, began a mass exodus after Egypt
and several other Arab countries fought a war in 1948 with the new state
of Israel. Only a few dozen Jews still remain in Egypt.
Cairo, Tuesday, AFP
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