A compromise appears to be in the works over a controversial highway site in Jerusalem that has pitted haredim, or fervently Orthodox Jews, against city officials, government archaeologists and residents of a northern neighborhood.
A ministerial committee has recommended that the path of the highway at French Hill be moved about 25 feet west to accommodate haredi opposition to the uncovered at the site.
The compromise would leave intact four of the Second Temple period tombs. A fifth lies under the newly proposed route.
Police Minister Moshe Shahal said the contents of this 2,000-year-old cave would be moved, with or without the approval of the haredim — if necessary, under police protection.
Haredim have staged violent demonstrations in recent weeks to protest archaeological investigations of the tombs. The violence produced a backlash of anti-Orthodox vandalism last weekend, when tires were slashed in haredi neighborhoods of the city.
Israel’s High Court of Justice is due to hear arguments this Thursday from the Jerusalem municipality, which favors the highway construction, and Athra Kadisha, the haredi group dedicated to protecting Jewish gravesites.
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