Palestinians vandalize EU-funded site to protest music party

• Date: 29 December 2020
• Published date: 29 December 2020
• Author: KHALED ABU TOAMEH
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Over the past few days, the Palestinians, mostly from east Jerusalem, converged on the historic site, known as Maqam Nabi Musa, or Tomb of Prophet Moses, after discovering that it was being used by young men and women to hold a music party.

The compound consists of a shrine, mosque, minaret and dozens of rooms built during the reign of al-Dahr Baybers, a Mamluk Sultan, in 1269 CE. Located near Jericho and 20 km. east of Jerusalem, the site has been under the control of the Palestinian Authority since 1995.

Abandoned for many years, the site previously served as a center for the rehabilitation of drug addicts from east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Last year, PA Prime Minister Mohamad Shtayyeh, together with representatives of the EU and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), inaugurated a 5 million euros EU-funded project to renovate the site.

Implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the PA Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and other stakeholders in the tourism sector, the program aims at supporting the development of cultural tourism in the PA-controlled territories.

The project transformed the site into a fully-functioning guest house and tourist center for both religious and mainstream tourism. Restoration works included a rehabilitation of pathways, building elevations and basic infrastructure networks, development of the exterior courtyard and landscaping, according to The Office of the European Union Representative.

The Palestinians who attacked the site accused the organizers of the party of desecrating the...