"Atra Kadisha" suggests building new ER in Ashkelon hospital over graves.
By JPOST.COMbarzilai hospital ashkelon 311(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
A proposal brought forward by the ultra-orthodox organization "Atra Kadisha" may resolve the dispute over the location of a new emergency wing for the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon.Thecabinet had approved by a narrow margin Deputy Health Minister Ya’acovLitzman’s proposal to build the emergency room at a more distant sitebecause ancient bones were found at the original site. Critics say thatrevising the plans would cost an extra NIS 136 million, delay theproject for two years and put the facility too far from the hospital’smain building."Atra Kadisha" suggested building the wing over the site withoutremoving or touching the remains, which is prohibited according to halacha.Israel Radio on Tuesday cited Litzman's aide as saying that if thebones were not of Jews, it would be possible to begin construction atthe original site.Meanwhile, experts are trying to determine whether the Byzantine burialsite contains remains of Jews or of other inhabitants of the area whichwould, in turn, resolve the current dispute. Gil Hoffman contributed to this report.
