Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM1758
2008-09-22 14:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

FRANCISCANS SAY ISRAEL BREACHING STATUS QUO

Tags:  KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8366
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1758/01 2661418
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221418Z SEP 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2842
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001758 

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: FRANCISCANS SAY ISRAEL BREACHING STATUS QUO
ARRANGEMENTS

REF: JERUSALEM 01327

Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Greg Marchese, per reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001758

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: FRANCISCANS SAY ISRAEL BREACHING STATUS QUO
ARRANGEMENTS

REF: JERUSALEM 01327

Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Greg Marchese, per reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Franciscan (Catholic) Custos of the
Holy Land has formally complained to the GoI about breaches
in the status quo regarding holy places, and his
representative has requested that the USG press the GoI to
protect Jerusalem's Christian holy sites. According to the
Custos, an Orthodox yeshiva in the former Franciscan
monastery at the Cenacle (or Room of the Last Supper) on
Mount Zion is undertaking renovations that have removed
Christian symbols, undermining the Franciscans' claim to the
buildings. In addition, GoI Ministry of Tourism officials
inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher have requested that
monks and nuns display their tour guide licenses,
contravening the GoI's commitment to respect the status quo
with regard to holy sites. (Note: The Custos's letters can
be found on the ConGen's classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/jerusalem/ind ex.cfm by
clicking on the link for Political Reporting Attachments.
Background information on the Cenacle at para 5. End note.)
End Summary.

RENOVATIONS UNDERMINE CHRISTIAN NATURE OF THE CENACLE
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land Father
Pierbattista Pizzaballa registered a formal complaint with
the GoI on August 25 against "destruction and demolition" of
the Cenacle on Mount Zion. The complaint, which was copied
to all Jerusalem Consuls General, stated that "private
Orthodox Jewish elements" are altering the Cenacle and
surrounding buildings through renovation and reconstruction.
According to the letter, this alteration includes removing
Christian symbols and reorganizing the structure to make it
unrecognizable as a former monastery. Father Pizzaballa
called for "an immediate stay and cessation of any and all
work on the site" and the appointment of a jointly agreed
upon committee to investigate the damage.


3. (C) Father Athanasius Macora, Head of the Christian
Information Center and a representative of the Custos of the
Holy Land, showed PolOff areas in the former monastery where
carved stone crosses had been sanded off the walls and where
renovations were altering the former monastery's layout. He
said these actions undermine the Franciscans' claim to the
building, which is currently controlled by the GoI and houses
a yeshiva. He requested USG assistance to preserve the
Cenacle complex.

OFFICIALS DEMAND TO SEE CLERGY
GUIDING PERMITS IN THE HOLY SEPULCHER
--------------


4. (C) Father Pizzaballa also formally complained to the GoI
Ministry of Tourism on August 21 against officials inside the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher demanding to see clergy members'
tour guide permits. Father Athanasius told PolOff that the
Franciscan Church licenses clergy in agreement with the
Ministry, but GoI officials entered the church several times
in August and asked monks and nuns guiding pilgrims to show
their licenses. He said the GoI is breaching its commitment
to respect the status quo with regard to holy places. GoI
officials should not enter holy sites or disrupt pilgrimages
to conduct investigations, he added. He said the Catholic
Church maintains that "we have an inherent right to guide in
Christian holy places," because Israeli-licensed guides
cannot provide the spiritual experience that Christian
pilgrims seek.

BACKGROUND ON THE CENACLE AND
FRANCISCAN MONASTERY ON MOUNT ZION
--------------


5. (U) The Cenacle is the purported site of the Last Supper.
The building contains the Cenacle room, the Room of the Holy
Spirit, and King David's cenotaph, and is part of a former
Franciscan monastery. The site housed one of the earliest
Christian churches in Jerusalem, and has been razed and
rebuilt at least twice. The Franciscans acquired the
property in 1342 and established a monastery, but were forced
out by the Ottomans in 1552. The complex served as a mosque
until the mid-twentieth century and contains Muslim symbols
and a Muslim cemetery. The GoI took control of the property
after 1967 and a yeshiva was established there in 1975. The
Franciscans claim continuous ownership of the site since
1342, in spite of not having control of it since 1552.

JERUSALEM 00001758 002 OF 002



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