Scores of Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Hebron on Monday, a day after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced plans to include two hotly contested sites — a Hebron shrine and a tomb in another West Bank city — on a list of Israeli national heritage sites.

The other shrine is Rachel’s Tomb. The only reason this is controversial is because the Palestinian Authority denies the historical connection between modern day Israel and Jewish history. As the still operative Palestinian National Charter declares.

Claims of historical or religious ties of Jews with Palestine are incompatible with the facts of history and the true conception of what constitutes statehood. Judaism, being a religion, is not an independent nationality.

Binyamin Netanyah has declared his support for two states and even the moderate Palestinian refuse to acknowledge the historical basis for a Jewish state, as the Times goes on.

But the announcement drew sharp criticism from Palestinian officials and the Fatah party, led by the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.

Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said in a statement on Monday, “The unilateral decision to make Palestinian sites in Hebron and Bethlehem part of Israel shows there is no genuine partner for peace, but an occupying power intent on consolidating Palestinian lands.”

He added that control over archaeological and tourist sites is “part of the continuing Israeli settlement enterprise.”

But then there was a centuries old Jewish community in Hebron that lasted until 1929 when the Arabs there massacred and drove them out. So to call Hebron “occupied” by Israel is to legitimize the ethnic cleansing that took place there over 80 years ago.

But the Palestinians have someone else on their side of revisionist history.

In a statement on Monday, Robert H. Serry, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said: “These sites are in occupied Palestinian territory and are of historical and religious significance not only to Judaism, but also to Islam, and to Christianity as well. I urge Israel not to take any steps on the ground which undermine trust or could prejudice negotiations.”

Jonathan Tobin retorts:

By opposing the Jewish Heritage Plan, the UN isn’t merely sniping at Netanyahu. It is signaling its backing of a Palestinian and Muslim approach to the history of the land in which Judaism is systematically erased. If indeed Serry and the UN are actually interested in preserving these sites for members of all faiths to visit, rather than in merely chasing the Jews out of them, the only formula for their preservation lies in continued Israeli control.

But then the UN isn’t really interested in peace or Israel, just in pushing the Palestinian narrative no matter how much evidence is gathered to the contrary. (via memeorandum)

I continue to be amazed that Holocaust deniers, who deny 15 years of history are considered beyond the pale, but that Palestinians who deny 2000 years of Jewish history are partners for peace.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad.

The 150-meter-long tunnel was discovered by Palestinian Authority security forces on Monday and was immediately reported to the IDF, which sent an Engineering Corps force to destroy the structure.

IDF sources and defense officials said Tuesday that the tunnel had been found empty and that it was unclear what its purpose was.

Or discouraged by this?

The Post learned on Thursday, however, that several hundred kilograms of explosives and arms were found in a branch of the tunnel and that the PA security forces confiscated it before informing the IDF of the discovery.

Israel Matzav says I should be discouraged:

Let’s stop right there for a minute. WHERE did all of those weapons go? Obviously, back to the ‘Palestinians’ who put them there, which shows us all the limits of ‘Palestinian’ cooperation with the IDF and the security forces

Plus he shares some informed speculation what the purpose of the tunnel was.

This is the second recent escalation in the business of tunneling. Hmm, will the PA follow the lead of Hamas and start regulating them?

Seriously though, this suggests that Hamas is exporting its tunneling technology to PA areas.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad.