Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita and Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita are calling on Muslim religious leaders to step forward and work with them towards ending violence on holy sites. The Chief Rabbis called on Islamic religious leaders as well as religious leaders of other faiths in Israel to work together to bring an immediate end to violence in Jerusalem, particularly on holy sites intended for prayer.

“We expect our friends, our partners who head the respective religious councils in Israel, to condemn anyone who desecrates holy places or brings weapons of sorts into these areas and to prevent these acts” stated the Chief Rabbis, who added, “Israel permits freedom of worship to all religions and respects their customs and holy sites that are intended for prayer”.

They conclude “During these days of the new Jewish year, days during which we pray for security and peace, coexistence among all the inhabitants of the world, tolerance and moderation and hopefully this will lead to the realization of the words of prophet Isaiah ‘Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more’”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)