The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest mainstream Orthodox Jewish synagogue organization, today announced its support for H.R. 2566, the Temple Mount Preservation Act of 2001, a bill introduced today by Congressman Eric. J. Cantor (R-VA). The bill calls for the cut off of aid to the Palestinian Authority until their desecration of the Temple Mount and the continued illegal excavations resulting in the destruction of the remains of the Jewish Temples come to an end. This holy site must be protected, not only for religious and theological purposes but for historical, cultural and national reasons as well. We continue to be horrified by the massive constructions, employing heavy trucks and earth-moving equipment, that is taking place in the attempt to erase remnants of the Jewish presence on the Temple Mount. Tons of dirt containing precious antique artifacts are being removed from the Temple Mount in an effort to destroy the remnants of Jewish holy places. It is an outrageous example of the blatant attempt to eradicate Jewish history from Judaism’s holiest site, proving again that the Palestinian Authority cannot be trusted with the preservation of holy sites.

Respect for religious sites around the world are in great danger and the world has recently witnessed the outrageous desecration and destruction of sites holy to other religions as well by radical extremists. We reiterate our call for action against this intolerable and irrevocable damage to the Temple Mount, and call for an immediate to halt to the destruction of Jewish heritage on Har HaBayit, our national treasure.

We applaud Congressman Eric Cantor for the introduction of this very important bill and will urge all our members to work to support it. We call on all of Members of Congress to help support and pass the Temple Mount Preservation Act of 2001, H.R. 2566.