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World Jewish News
Work Stopped in the Jewish Cemetery in Toledo
28.12.2008
At the request of Jewish organizations, the Spanish government temporarily halted construction which was causing irreparable damage to an ancient Jewish cemetery.
Toledo authorities had started the construction of new buildings for a school located in the heart of the city. Excavation near the school affected the medieval Jewish cemetery, and more than a hundred human remains had been temporarily moved into a sector that belongs to the municipal government.
Jewish organizations addressed the Toledo mayor's office with a request to halt work, which was defiling the Jewish sacred place, but the local authorities refused.
Neglect of the Jewish traditions forced the Rabbinical Council of Europe, the Conference of Rabbis of Spain and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain to demand that the Spanish government intervene in the conflict.
At a meeting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Jewish leaders and the Spanish Government decided to temporarily freeze the excavation work until a comprehensive review has been made of all aspects of this controversial project.
In mid-January, all parties will present their suggestions to resolve the issue.
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