Chief Rabbis of Israel call on religious leaders to halt violence

Halt violence in holy places

  •   Chief Rabbis of Israel call on religious leaders to halt violence
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    Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef
     
     
    (Communicated by the Chief Rabbinate Spokesman)
     
    Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef, today (Friday, 18 September 2015), called on Islamic religious leaders and the leaders of other religious communities in Israel to work together in bringing about an immediate halt to the violence in Jerusalem and its surrounding area and to prevent riots and violations of public order in the holy places, which are for prayer. The chief rabbis note that it is the responsibility of religious leaders to create an atmosphere that will forestall conflict and friction over the holy places.
     
    "We expect our friends, our partners in the council of religious leaders in Israel, to condemn all those who desecrate the holy places and bring into them weapons of various kinds, and to prevent such phenomena. Israel allows freedom of worship for all faiths and respects their leaders. The holy places are for prayer alone. In these days, of the start of the Jewish year, we pray for a year of peace and coexistence for everyone in the world. May it be a year of tolerance and moderation and may the words of the prophet Isaiah, 'Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore' be realized," the chief rabbis said.