A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 L. 1. (a) Israel Communication sent on 11 March 2010 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 Allegations transmitted to the Government 206. The Special Procedures mandate holders brought to the attention of the Government information regarding religious tensions and violent clashes related to religious sites and places of worship in Bethlehem, Hebron and Jerusalem. 207. According to the information received, the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on 21 February 2010 a plan to rehabilitate and strengthen the national heritage infrastructures of the State of Israel and in this context confirmed his intention to include Rachel’s Tomb (on the outskirts of Bethlehem city) and the Cave of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque (in Hebron city) in the list of national heritage sites. During the following days and in relation to this decision, violent clashes occurred between dozens of Palestinian youths and Israeli forces at various locations in Hebron and in other cities. 208. On 22 February 2010, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Robert H. Serry, indicated in a statement that the two holy sites in Bethlehem and Hebron were located in occupied Palestinian territory and were of historical and religious significance not only to Judaism but also to Islam and to Christianity. Mr. Serry urged Israel not to take any steps on the ground which could undermine trust or prejudice peace negotiations. On 25 February 2010, the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, also expressed her concern at the announcement by the Israeli Prime Minister to include the two sites in Bethlehem and Hebron in the Israeli list of National Heritage sites and at the resulting escalation of tension in the area. 209. In a statement of 25 February 2010, the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that the Government of Israel would not harm freedom of worship for Muslims, just as the Government of Israel would preserve freedom of worship for Jews. 210. On 28 February 2010, Israeli police forces entered the al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem and dispersed a crowd of Palestinian youths who had reportedly thrown stones at visitors. On the same day, the Israeli police forces banned Muslim men under the age of 50 years from the site, however, women and non-Muslims could continue visiting the al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound. On 5 March 2010, Israeli police and Palestinian youths reportedly clashed again at the al-Haram alSharif/Temple Mount compound, resulting in several injuries on both sides. 211. Furthermore, with the authorization and support by Israeli State authorities, the ongoing construction of a museum on a portion of the Ma’man Allah (Mamilla) cemetery in Jerusalem reportedly involves the excavation or exposure of hundreds of graves of this cemetery which has been a Muslim burial ground for more than 1000 years. Concerns have been expressed that the decision to remove and reinter Muslim remains was apparently taken without consulting the relevant Muslim religious authorities or the family members of those interred in Ma’man Allah (Mamilla) cemetery. 212. The Special Rapporteurs asked the Government of Israel to provide information about the current status of the inclusion of Rachel’s Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque in the list of Israeli national heritage sites, including about any consultations the Government had with interested parties and religious communities in this regard. The Special Rapporteurs also requested to be provided with a list of the places which have been designated by the Government of Israel as holy sites so far and with a copy of the text of regulations implementing the 1967 Protection of Holy Sites Law. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteurs asked what measures the Government of Israel has 42