The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the largest mainstream Orthodox Jewish organization with nearly one thousand congregations nationwide, is deeply pained by and strongly opposes the illegal construction that is taking place on the Temple Mount. In spite of strong protests, the pace of the work has increased and important archeological artifacts of greatest significance to the Jewish nation are being destroyed. The remains of our Holy Temple are sacred to the Jewish people and deserve the utmost protection, not only for religious and theological purposes but for historical, cultural and national reasons as well. It is for this reason that we fail to understand the Prime Minister’s decision to take no action against this destruction and to allow it to continue despite protests by Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein and leading Israeli archeologists.

We strongly urge Prime Minister Barak to stop all work at the Temple Mount immediately. This deplorable activity threatens to destroy Jewish heritage at Har Habayit, our national treasure, something that no nation in the world would tolerate. We implore Prime Minister Ehud Barak to reconsider his decision and do whatever is necessary to halt this indefensible destruction.