The Islamic-Christian Committee to Defend Jerusalem and the Holy Sites denounced Israel’s decision to raze the remaining part of an ancient Palestinian Islamic cemetery in Jerusalem.

The Committee’s Secretary-General Hanna Issa denounced Israel’s decision to raze the remaining part of Ma’man Allah (Mamilla) Cemetery as a prelude to the construction of new roads and public buildings as a gross encroachment upon the inviolability of the cemetery, which enflames Muslims and Jerusalemites’ sensibilities.

Issa referred to Israel’s decision to commence the construction of a road that is located next to the so-called Museum of Tolerance and connects Mamilla Street with Bet Sira Street.

Despite persistent Palestinian rejection to Israeli constructions over parts of the cemetery, Israel has opted to take the serious step of razing the remaining parts, effectively disregarding international conventions and treaties which call for respecting different religions.

Commenting on Israel’s ultimate purpose, Issa said that all Israeli measures in Jerusalem, including the construction of the Independence Park in preparation for the Museum of Tolerance, are intended to obliterate the Palestinian and Arab presence in the city.

Concluding his statement, he urged all international organizations, particularly UNESCO, to take urgent action to preserve the Palestinian archeological sites in Jerusalem and bring the Israeli policies of Judaization to an end.

Originally covering 200 dunums, the area of the cemetery has already shrunk over the years because Israel seized large parts for the construction of Mamilla Market, the Independence Park in addition to a grand hotel. It has also seized other parts for the construction of other buildings and a large parking lot.

Describing the cemetery, prominent Palestinian historian Rashid Khalidi said that it “is reputed to have become the burial place of several of the Prophet Muhammad’s Companions who died during or after the nascent Muslim state’s military campaigns in the region.”