Event
Details
The discussion will reflect on the significance of sacred places in the Holy Land, compare case studies, and consider the roles and responsibilities of religious leaders and other relevant bodies in safeguarding them. Our intention is that this conference will raise awareness on the issue and assist in building regular cooperation among relevant bodies for the greater safety and protection of holy sites in Israel.
The conference will be conducted in Hebrew and English with simultaneous translation.
RSVP e-mail: jeru@sfcg.org
You must submit your Israeli ID or passport number with your RSVP for Ministry security needs.
PROGRAMME
9.30 – 10.00: Registration and refreshments
10.00 – 10.15: Welcome
Rafael Barak, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sharon Rosen, Co-Director, Jerusalem Office, Search for Common Ground
Michael Mertes, Resident Representative, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung office, Israel
10.15 – 11.45: First Session: A Religious Overview of Holy Sites in the Holy Land
Moderator: Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee
Jewish Sites: Rabbi David Lau, Chief Rabbi of Israel
Christian Sites: Theophilus III, His Beatitude the Patriarch of the
Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine
Muslim Sites: Qadi Dr. Hamza Hamza, Shari’a Courts, Taybeh
Druze Sites Qadi Sheikh Naim Henu, Druze religious Courts in Israel
11.45 – 12.15: Coffee Break
12.15 – 12.25: Video Presentation, Holy Sites in the Holy Land – A New Perspective
12.25 – 14.00: Second Session: Case Studies of Current Controversies
Moderator: Professor Yitzhak Reiter, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies and Ashkelon College
Mount Zion: Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos of the Holy Land
Yisca Harani, Independent Scholar and History of
Christianity Expert
Be’er Sheba Mosque: Jamal Al-Aberro, Supervisor Southern District, Ministry of
Interior, Shahda Ibn Bari, attorney and academic
14.00 – 15.00: Lunch
15.00 – 16.30: Third Session: What Can Be Done to Safeguard Holy Sites in Israel
Moderator: Mr. Ya’akov Salame, Department Head of Minorities, Ministry of Interior
Political Perspectives: Masoud Genaim, Member Knesset
International Perspectives: TBD
Police Perspectives: Avi Biton, Chief Superintendent, Merchav David
Legal Perspectives: Yehuda Shaffer, Deputy State Attorney, Justice Ministry
Education Perspectives: Moshe Tur-Paz, Director of Education Administration,
Jerusalem Municipality (Manchi)
Media Perspectives: Arad Nir, International Commentator and Foreign Editor,
Channel 2 News
16.30 – 17.00: Closing
The Universal Code of Conduct on Holy Sites as a model for cooperation: Sharon Rosen, Co-Director,Jerusalem Office, Search for Common Ground