President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority has made a
personal donation to support restoration efforts at the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is “a national and religious symbol
for the Palestinian people,” Abbas said during an October 17 meeting
with representatives of the three Christian bodies (Catholic, Greek
Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic) that share the administration of the
basilica.
“We have the duty to take care of it, to protect it, and to
contribute to its restoration.” King Abdullah of Jordan has also offered
a large personal contribution.
The current restoration project focuses on the Edicule: the tomb in
which Jesus was laid, which is located inside the basilica.
The
agreement to undertake restoration work represents a breakthrough, since
previous efforts had been stalled by disputes among the various
religious groups claiming custody of the Edicule.