Muslims nervous: Jews set up synagogue on 'Strauss'

The quiet which prevails in recent years between Jews and Arabs in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, was disturbed – as a result of a plan to build a synagogue in the courtyard of the soup kitchen 'Strauss'.

On Habarzel Street, near what is known as the 'Little Western Wall', features a courtyard that was once a symbol of apparent co-existence between Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem. Today, Jewish families settled the courtyard, who are seeking to build a synagogue there, but the plan has raised the ire of Muslim organizations.

The organization of 'al-Aqsa Institution of Endowment and Heritage' held a press conference to declare its struggle against the synagogue. The head of the association, Sheikh Akrama Zabari, said the land belongs to the Waqf - the Muslim Waqf, and building on it is a violation of ownership.

Chairman of the Monitoring Committee of Israeli Arabs, Muhammad Zeidan, also called international organizations to act in order to stop the plan, saying it hurts the feelings of Muslims. According to Sheikh, the program is an 'attack' on the Muslim Waqf, since its goal is to "eradicate the Islamic monuments while giving the area Jewish character and distorting history."

However, it seems that as befits the Waqf, this is nonsense. According to Rabbi Israel Gellis, a man who is well versed in the history of the city of Jerusalem, the yard was purchased in 5683 (1923) by the philanthropist Nathan Strauss after the inhabitants of the old city argued that they are not allowed access to the Western Wall.

Strauss set up a soup kitchen in the yard for Jews as well as for Arab residents of the quarter. After they had eaten well, the Jews were able to escape from the security around the Western Wall and reached prayers in secret.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!