Synagogue demolitions halted
2005-08-28 18:08
Jerusalem - The Israeli Supreme Court on Sunday ordered the government to halt its plans to demolish 20 synagogues in the evacuated Gaza settlements following an appeal by a group of rabbis.
In their appeal, the petitioners claimed that demolition of the synagogues was a blatant attempt to erase all traces of Jewish life from the area and argued that the government should attempt to reach agreement with the Palestinian Authority to ensure they are preserved.
The court order gives the government 48 hours to respond.
The appeal was lodged just hours after the cabinet approved plans to break up 20 synagogues and to transfer only a symbolic section of each building to Israel, where they will be rebuilt.
Only two of Gaza's 26 synagogues, those in the settlements of Slav and Tel Katifa, will be transferred in their entirety into Israel.
During a debate at Sunday's cabinet meeting, the two chief rabbis addressed ministers and called on them not to demolish the synagogues.
Last week, the Supreme Court gave the green light for Israel to demolish the synagogues but stipulated that from each, certain stones and pieces of concrete would be removed and taken to Israel.