February, 10 2010, 12:14pm EDT

Descendants File Protest with United Nations over Israeli Plans to Build on 12th Century Muslim Cemetery
Simon Wiesenthal Center Intends “Museum of Tolerance” for Site Despite Desecration
WASHINGTON
Today, parties defending a 12th Century Muslim cemetery and holy
site from desecration by Israeli authorities and a U.S. developer
brought their case to the United Nations and held press conferences in
Geneva, Jerusalem and Los Angeles. The filing of the "Petition for
Urgent Action on Human Rights Violations by Israel: Desecration of
Ma'man Allah (Mamilla) Muslim Cemetery in the Holy City of Jerusalem."
took place in Geneva; the cemetery, Ma'man Allah (also known as
Mamilla), is in Jerusalem; and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which has
plans to build a Museum of Tolerance on the site, is based in Los
Angeles. The Center for Constitutional Rights in New York is
representing descendants, including 60 signatories from 15 of the
oldest Jerusalem families with ancestors going back to the 12th
century. The Petition may be consulted at www.mamillacampaign.org.
"The callous disregard for the most basic values of tolerance
involved in building this museum in the most ancient and revered Muslim
cemetery in Jerusalem is not just an affront by the Simon Wiesenthal
Center to the many Jerusalemites whose families, like my own, have had
ancestors buried there for many centuries," said Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies Department of History at Columbia University in New York.
"It is also a blatant violation of the ethical, moral and legal
responsibilities of the Israeli government, which itself repeatedly
protested the desecration of ancient Jewish cemeteries in Jerusalem
between 1948 and 1967."
The construction project has resulted in the disinterment and
disposal of hundreds of graves and human remains, the whereabouts of
which are currently unknown. Frank Gehry, the original architect for
the museum, has withdrawn his designs and his participation in the
project.
This will be the first known time Palestinian individuals have taken
collective action against Israel to bring such an issue before a UN
forum and comes after all remedies in Israel were exhausted. The
families, NGO's and attorneys argue the desecration of the cemetery
violates international conventions protecting cultural heritage, the
manifestation of religious beliefs, and the right to family.
Said Maria LaHood, Center for Constitutional Rights Senior Attorney, "Left
with no recourse in Israel, families of people buried in Mamilla
cemetery have come together to petition the United Nations to safeguard
their international human rights to be free from discrimination, to
manifest religious beliefs, and to have their cultural heritage
protected. We call on the international community to denounce this
shameful desecration of a historic Muslim cemetery in Jerusalem."
The plan to build a "Center for Human Dignity - Museum of Tolerance"
on the remains of important Muslim figures and men, women and children
buried there over the course of a thousand years has faced widespread
opposition from Muslim, Christian and Jewish personalities in Israel,
Palestine and around the world. Nonetheless, the Israeli Supreme Court
has ruled in favor of construction of the Museum, and the Israeli
government has refused to halt the disinterment of human remains and
the destruction of the ancient cemetery.
The Center for Constitutional Rights and others are petitioning the
United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Religion and Belief
and on Contemporary Forms of Racism; the Independent Expert on Culture;
the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and the Director General of
UNESCO on behalf of Palestinian families whose ancestors are buried in
the cemetery. The parties are asking these international bodies to act
urgently to demand that the government of Israel halt further
construction of the "Center for Human Dignity - Museum of Tolerance" on
the Mamilla Cemetery site, investigate human rights violations,
document and reveal to petitioners the whereabouts of all human remains
and artifacts, recover and rebury all human remains where they were
originally found in coordination with the proper Muslim authorities,
and declare the Mamilla Cemetery an antiquity to be preserved and
protected.
Said Stanley Sheinbaum, Jewish leader in Los Angeles and former President of the Los Angeles Police Commission,
"In regard to the proposed construction of a new Simon Wiesenthal
Center on the ancient Mamilla Cemetery, I would with great respect for
both Palestinians and Israelis suggest that Israeli governmental
authorities seek out an alternative building site upon which to build
the Museum of Tolerance. It seems to me that to desecrate hundreds of
human remains on this sacred burial site in order to build a center
dedicated to tolerance is particularly ironic."
The Mamilla Cemetery has been a Muslim burial ground and holy site
since as early as the 7th century, when companions of the Prophet
Muhammad were reputedly buried there. In addition, numerous Sufi saints
and thousands of other officials, scholars, notables, and Jerusalemite
families have been buried in the cemetery over the last 1000 years. The
Muslim Supreme Council declared the cemetery an historical site in
1927, and the British Mandate authorities pronounced it an antiquities
site in 1944. It was an active burial ground until 1948, when the new
State of Israel seized the western part of Jerusalem and the cemetery
fell under Israeli control.
Read more about the Mamilla Cemetery on CCR's case page.
The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CCR is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.
(212) 614-6464LATEST NEWS
Trump Tariffs Bound for Supreme Court After Another Legal Loss
If the president's policies are struck down, the administration may have to repay billions of dollars in duties, which customs and trade experts warn "would be a logistical nightmare."
Aug 29, 2025
As working-class Americans endure the pain from US President Donald Trump's tariff war, the Republican signaled that he plans to keep fighting for the levies after a loss at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Trump is the first president to impose tariffs by citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977. In a 7-4 ruling, the appellate court's majority found that most of his tariffs are illegal.
The court said that "tariffs are a core congressional power" and "we discern no clear congressional authorization by IEEPA for tariffs of the magnitude of the reciprocal tariffs and trafficking tariffs."
The decision affirms a May ruling from the US Court of International Trade, which also found that Trump exceeded his authority.
Friday's ruling is paused until October 14, to give the White House time to appeal to the nation's highest court. Trump suggested he would do so in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing:
ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end. If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong. The U.S.A. will no longer tolerate enormous Trade Deficits and unfair Tariffs and Non Tariff Trade Barriers imposed by other Countries, friend or foe, that undermine our Manufacturers, Farmers, and everyone else. If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America. At the start of this Labor Day weekend, we should all remember that TARIFFS are the best tool to help our Workers, and support Companies that produce great MADE IN AMERICA products. For many years, Tariffs were allowed to be used against us by our uncaring and unwise Politicians. Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation, and Make America Rich, Strong, and Powerful Again! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Politico noted that the Friday decision opens the door "for the administration to potentially have to repay billions worth of duties," and pointed to recent warnings from customs and trade experts "that repayments would be a logistical nightmare, and would likely trigger a wave of legal challenges from other businesses and industry groups seeking reimbursement."
Trump's latest legal loss on the tariff front follows various analyses and polling that show the harm his policies are causing. One Accountable.US report from this month highlights comments from grocery executives about passing costs on to consumers, and a recent survey found that 90% of Americans consider the price of groceries a source of stress.
Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee also released a related report earlier this month. As JEC Ranking Member Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) said at the time, "While President Trump promised that he would expand our manufacturing sector, this report shows that, instead, the chaos and uncertainty created by his tariffs has placed a burden on American manufacturers that could weigh our country down for years to come."
Another mid-August analysis from the Century Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative details the surging cost of school supplies as American families prepared for the 2025-26 academic year. TCF senior fellow Rachel West said that "from his reckless tariffs to his budget law slashing food assistance and federal student loans, Trump's back-to-school message to America's families is crystal clear: Don't expect help, just expect less."
Keep ReadingShow Less
US 'Denying and Revoking' Visas of Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly
The Palestinian presidency said the decision—which comes as more and more nations formally recognize Palestine's statehood—"stands in clear contradiction to international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement."
Aug 29, 2025
The Trump administration said Friday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority" ahead of next month's United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The US State Department said Friday that "the Trump administration has been clear: It is in our national security interests to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments, and for undermining the prospects for peace."
"Before the PLO and PA can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently repudiate terrorism—including the October 7 massacre—and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by US law and as promised by the PLO," the statement continues.
No US administration in modern times has ever demanded that Israel repudiate its generations-long illegal occupation and settler colonization of Palestine, its ongoing genocide in Gaza, or any other violation of international law or human rights.
"The PA must also end its attempts to bypass negotiations through international lawfare campaigns, including appeals to the [International Criminal Court] and [International Court of Justice], and efforts to secure the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state," the State Department added. "Both steps materially contributed to Hamas' refusal to release its hostages, and to the breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire talks."
The ICC last year issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, including murder and the forced starvation of Palestinians that is driving a famine that has killed at least hundreds of Palestinians and is starving hundreds of thousands more. The ICJ is currently weighing a genocide case against Israel filed by South Africa—not the PA.
As for ceasefire talks, Matthew Miller, who served as a State Department spokesperson during the Biden administration, recently admitted that Israel habitually torpedoed ceasefire agreements each time they were nearing a conclusion in what he called a sustained effort to "try and sabotage" a deal. Miller repeatedly stood at his podium and told reporters that Hamas was to blame for thwarting a truce.
Miller added that Netanyahu openly admitted to US officials that he wanted to continue the Gaza war for "decades."
It is not clear which Palestinian officials will have their visas denied or revoked. The office of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement responding to the US announcement that "this decision stands in clear contradiction to international law and the UN Headquarters Agreement—which effectively shields UN member-state officials from US immigration policies—particularly since the state of Palestine is an observer member of the United Nations."
This isn't the first time the US has blocked Palestinian officials from attending a General Assembly. In 1998, the Regan administration denied then-PLO Chair Yasser Arafat a visa and the General Assembly was convened in Geneva instead of New York. There have already been numerous calls to relocate this year's General Assembly to the Swiss city following the US move.
The US announcement comes as more and more countries formally recognize Palestinian statehood or move to do so amid Israel's genocidal assault, siege, and famine in Gaza, which, combined, have left more than 230,000 Palestinians dead, maimed, or missing and the strip in ruins.
Approximately 150 of the UN's 193 member states have officially recognized Palestine. Since October 2023, countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, and Spain have either recognized Palestine or announced their intent to do so.
Keep ReadingShow Less
As Abbott Signs Texas Map Rigged for Trump, Missouri GOP Aims to Follow Suit
One critic said Texas Republicans' "reckless, partisan power grab will harm our democracy for years to come."
Aug 29, 2025
Democracy defenders on Friday blasted elected Texas Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, after he signed a new congressional map gerrymandered for the GOP at the request of US President Donald Trump—and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, for launching a copycat effort.
"Gov. Abbott would rather do Trump's dirty work than help the people of Texas," said Brett Edkins, managing director of policy and political affairs at the progressive advocacy group Stand Up America, in a statement.
"For months, he has ignored the real issues affecting Texans, including flood relief, and instead pandered to Trump's demand that he redraw Texas' political maps to rig the 2026 elections and silence communities of color," he continued. "Texas Republicans have started a nationwide redistricting arms race with no end in sight. Their reckless, partisan power grab will harm our democracy for years to come."
Abbott and state lawmakers have been open about aiming to help the GOP retain control of Congress during next year's midterm elections by passing their so-called "One Big Beautiful Map." The governor—who called two special legislative sessions to force through the bill—posted a video of himself signing it on social media and declared that "Texas will be more RED in Congress."
During the first legislative session, dozens of Democrats in the Texas House fled to blue states in a bid to block the map, but they ultimately returned to Austin. After GOP legislators passed the bill, the NAACP and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed a lawsuit over the map.
After the governor signed the bill on Friday, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said in a statement that "with a stroke of the pen, Greg Abbott and the Republicans have effectively surrendered Texas to Washington, DC."
"They love to boast about how 'Texas Tough' they are, but when Donald Trump made one call, they bent over backwards to prioritize his politics over Texans. Honestly, it's pathetic," he said. "I am proud of the Texas Democrats in the House and Senate who chose to fight, whether by a constitutionally protected quorum break, questioning these mapmakers, trying to pass amendments, or even attempting to filibuster."
"This isn't over—we'll see these clowns in court," he pledged. "We aren't done fighting against these racially discriminatory maps, and fully expect the letter of the law to prevail over these sycophantic Republican politicians who think the rules don't apply to them."
The contested map makes five Texas districts for the US House of Representatives that are currently held by Democrats more favorable to Republicans.
While elected Democrats in states such as California have threatened to fight fire with fire and draw Republican congressional districts out of existence, GOP governors—under pressure from the president—have also moved to follow Texas' lead. For example, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Friday announced a special legislative session to pass his proposed "Missouri First Map."
Responding in a statement, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said that "another Republican governor just caved to the demands of Donald Trump at the expense of Missouri families and American democracy. Time and time again, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has undermined the voice of Missouri voters."
"Now he is attempting to dilute their power altogether by removing the ability of Missourians to stand up against this power grab," Martin continued. "Make no mistake: This all started because Trump and Republicans passed a historically unpopular budget bill that wrecks the working class to reward billionaires. Now, instead of facing the consequences of their votes, Republicans think they can just choose their voters—that's not how this works."
"As California has shown, Democrats are rising up to protect voters' sacred rights, and we're not pulling our punches," he added. "The DNC will stand with Democrats protecting the rights of all Americans as Donald Trump and spineless Republicans try to rig the game against the will of the people."
John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said that "over the past month, Missourians of all stripes, from proud union members to business leaders, have expressed their opposition to a mid-decade gerrymander, yet Missouri Republicans are choosing to take orders from Washington instead of their constituents."
"Republicans enacted the current congressional map in response to public pressure from Missouri voters," he said. "Their sudden reversal shows that their pursuit of a mid-decade gerrymander is nothing more than a power grab at the expense of the people. Heading into this special session, Missouri Republicans have a choice: They can listen to Missourians, who oppose a mid-decade gerrymander, or they can fold to Donald Trump's demands and face the same level of fierce resistance displayed in Texas."
Keep ReadingShow Less
Most Popular