The minister of religious affairs in Gaza, Dr. Taleb Abu Sha'ar, is warning that Israel plans to rebuild the "alleged" synagogue Tiferet Yisrael, also known as the Nissan Bek Shul, in the Jewish quarter of the Old City.He claims that the project is underway and is budgeted for 40 million shekels.
Tiferet Yisrael's dome was about as prominent in Jerusalem's skyline as the Hurva was before Jordan destroyed those and every other synagogue in the Old City in 1948. In fact, as Abu Sha'ar warns, the dome of the rebuilt Tiferet Yisrael will be taller than the new Hurva synagogue dome, at 26 meters. This would, of course, help "Judaize" the eternal Jewish capital, which is the worst thing that can occur to the Arab mind.
He also complained about the tens of thousand of visitors that the rebuilt Hurva has been receiving.
I can find nothing about this plan anywhere. A moribund two-year old Facebook group was pushing that cause.
But even evil people can give blessings to the Jewish people, so let's hope that Dr. Abu Sha'ar's words help spur the project along! Where can I donate?
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| Interior of old Tiferet Yisrael |
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| As it was being destroyed by Jordan |
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| The ruins today |