President Shimon Peres said Wednesday that Hamas is trying to create an artificial conflict, responding to recent Palestinian criticisms of Israel's move to add West Bank sites to Israel's national heritage list.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announced on Sunday that the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel's tomb in Bethlehem will be added to the list of national heritage sites that the government plans to promote.
On Tuesday, Ismail Hanieyh of Hamas urged Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up against Israeli forces in response to the decision.
Peres met with Robert Serry, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, on Wednesday and asked to clarify the backlash surrounding the addition of the two West Bank sites to Israel's national heritage list.
Peres emphasized that there are certain extreme Palestinian groups, naming Hamas in particular, that are trying to create false conflicts. Peres maintained that Israel is not interested in such confrontations.
Peres told Serry that Israel will invest in resources to build infrastructure and to increase worshippers' access to holy sites. He also said that Israel will also continue to respect all religions and allow complete religious freedom to everyone.
Peres maintained that the decision to add the sites to the national heritage list is a positive step. He said that these moves were made in order to preserve the holy sites and there is no doubt Israel will continue to respect the religious rights of Christians and Muslims at these ancient sites.
Source: Haaretz.com
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