Speaking to Arutz-7, Rehovot Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Simcha HaKohen Kook warned that giving away Kever Dovid HaMelech to the Vatican would be nothing less than a national tragedy. Rav Kook explained there is a consensus regarding the tziyun, quoting the Ari ZAL, Ben Ish Chai, Maharil Diskin and others who acknowledge the tziyun is indeed Dovid HaMelech’s kever.

The rav questions the silence, the absence of a national outcry over the very thought of giving away a national heritage location.

Rav Kook warns of a more serious consequence, the fact that Israel would give away the tziyun – tantamount to admitting to the Vatican they are chas v’sholom the true descendants of Dovid HaMelech. “When Jews will come here to daven they will see scores of Christians at the site” the rav added. He fears this may chas v’sholom in people turning to avoda zara instead of Yiddishkheit, converting to Christianity R”L.

Government officials continue to remain silent as the official word is there is no such deal. The Italian media however says otherwise, reporting the deal has been closed and the tziyun will be handed over to the pope during his visit to Israel in June.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)