JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A class action lawsuit has been filed by 150 Israeli citizens against Islamic officials who allegedly destroyed ancient Jewish artifacts on the Temple Mount.
The lawsuit claims Muslims who run the Temple Mount site have deliberately sought to destroy relics related to Judaism, IsraelNationalNews.com reported Tuesday.
"We are utilizing a seldom-applied section of the penal code," said Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, director attorney at the Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center, which brought the suit, "that allows private citizens to bring a criminal complaint in certain areas. If we win, the Waqf officials could face years in prison."
"In 1967," Darshan-Leitner said, "after the Six Day War, Israel made a terrible mistake in allowing the Jordanians to continue to run the Temple Mount. It now continues to be under the custody of the Islamic Trust (Waqf), but is not owned by the Waqf; it is still owned by the Jewish people. King David purchased it, King Solomon built the Temple there, and the Jewish People have longed to return there ever since the Exile began nearly 2,000 years ago. Our regaining it in 1967 was the pinnacle of Zionism. Because it has long been the heritage of the Jewish people, anyone who violates our rights there must be stopped and punished."
