WAILING WALL

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1928, Page 5

WAILING WALL

RELIGIOUS 'CONFLICT,

COLONIAL OFFICE ISSUES

MEMORANDUM

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, November 28

Tim dispute which arose at the Western or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on the. Day of Atonement, September 21, is discussed in a memorandum issued |,y the Secretary for the ( .Monies, Air L. C. M. S. Amery. It is stated that the Wailing Wall il’ormed part of the western exterior ol the ancient Jewish temple, and is holy to the Jewish community. The wall is also part of the Mammal Sl.aril, and as sucli is holy to the Moslems. Moreover, it is legally and absolutely the property of the Moslem community. On September 2)5 a complaint was made that innovations had been made by tbe Jews for tbe Day of Atonement service bv the introduction of a dividing screen' and other articles. A beadle <-,i ( | t be Deputy District Commissioner tliab the screen should he removed Em next day, hut it was still there, and the police removed it, in spite oi lcsistamc from some of the worshippers. “ His Majesty's Government regarded it as its duty, and it is its intention. to maintain the Jewish right ol access to the pavement in front dt the wall for the purpose of their devotions, and also to bring to the wi.ll those appurtenances that they "ere Mirny to take to the wall under the in kid. re»dme.” , •, -i \s to further privileges, the pnss. nlltv of acquiring them by mutua aii angement lias been lessened lj « fact that public opinion m 1 a.est.n Uni. tl,c |.u re,v veil us nrl.it- »ml 1>»<I ol ' l pi.liti.-i.l ..ml rn.tto.ml