Graves Found During Ben Gurion Airport Runway Renovation, Haredim Threaten Riots

Ultra-Orthodox figures on Wednesday pushed to halt renovation work on Ben Gurion International Airport runways after the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered ancient non-Jewish graves at the site. "Disorder in the area of the runways, or even close by, could disrupt flights to Israel," an airline industry source said. "No airline will fly to an airport where there is violent disorder."

Graves to disrupt runway work?
Ultra-Orthodox groups learn of ancient graves at site of Ben-Gurion Airport renovation, demand work be halted. Authorities fear disruption to crucial improvements
Arie Egozi • Ynet

Ultra-Orthodox figures on Wednesday pushed to halt renovation work on Ben Gurion International Airport runways after the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered ancient graves at the site.

"Disorder in the area of the runways, or even close by, could disrupt flights to Israel," an airline industry source said. "No airline will fly to an airport where there is violent disorder."
 
Renovation and widening work was recently begun on the runways to improve safety. One runway was due to be lengthened, which would enable one runway to be designated for takeoff and the other for landing.

A few days ago, Antiquities Authority workers discovered the ancient graves at the site of the renovations. On Wednesday it appeared that haredi figures had been informed – the same groups that had tried to prevent the construction of the ER room at the Barzilai Medical Center (Ashkelon) and are now demonstrating in Jaffa against construction at a site in which other graves have been discovered.

New 'graves affair'?

Initial investigations suggest that the newly discovered graves are not Jewish. However, the Airports Authority has begun receiving telephone calls which suggest a new "graves affair" is developing.

The site of the graves was to be included in the renovation work only in the second stage, in over a year's time. Nonetheless, the religious figures are demanding the work be halted now, for fear of harming the graves. The Airports Authority is investing some NIS 800 million ($210 million) into the renovation and extension works.

Even though this site is within the "sterile" area of the airport, protected by a security fence and armed patrols, authorities fear haredi groups may attempt to enter to prevent the work from continuing.

The Airports Authority held an emergency meeting Wednesday, with the participation of Chairman Ovadia Ali and Director-General Kobi Mor. Various solutions were discussed in case the Haredi groups insisted that work be completely halted on the site.

[Hat Tip: CS.]

Comments

[Mr. Apikoros]

If any haredi bastard tries to disrupt this work, or flights, they should be tried as the terrorists they are and executed.

They are a much bigger threat to Israel than some 88-year-old ex-Nazi.

[harold]

Secure the bins!!! We don't need then careening across the runway!

[effie]

How many Haredi have to get sucked into a jet engine before it is really a problem for the crew and passengers? If the jet can still land or take-off, who cares?

[effie]

Here ya' go.

Mount this on a jeep, clear the airfield, move the bodies, and take off!

[seymour]

don't the herdiem realize that ey is one big graveyard wherever you dig one will find bodies

[Menachem Mendel lll]

What's a day in Eretz Yisrooel without a Haredi riot...a day without sunshine.

I would beg to have a cool Palestinian as a neigbour instead of a Haredi any day of the week and that including Shabos!

A rat infested area to live in without a Haredi to spoil the view is perferable.

[IH]

Maybe they'll make a runway detour, like the ridiculous detour one needs to take to drive from the airport entrance to T3 so that Kfar Chabad can be assured that no one is mechalel shabbat on "their" land.

[A. Nuran]

Some airports put up fake hawks and eagles to scare away the birds. Ben Gurion airport needs to put up RealDolls to scare away the blackhats.

[effie]

Posted by: seymour: don't the herdiem realize that ey is one big graveyard wherever you dig one will find bodies

No. That would require basic math skills.

[Isa]

"""++Ben Gurion airport needs to put up RealDolls to scare away the blackhats."""++

And would also make realistic XXXXXXXXX sounds

[J.J. Mari]

Pardon me...
Did I miss something .. I still don't know if by 'Ancient Graves' we're talking a few hundred years or 10,000 years plus!?

Does it say some place in the above article.. and I just keep falling to sleep out of boredom at that exact same spot or what.
I'm not saying the story it's self is boring - that's why i keep attempting to re-read the thing. But the writing style or something makes me go to skim-mode.

But regardless, did anyone catch or otherwise know their definition of 'ancient'?
thanks.

[David]

Secure the bins!!! We don't need then careening across the runway!

Posted by: harold | July 29, 2010 at 11:16 AM

It would be better to secure the Haredim.

[David]

Some airports put up fake hawks and eagles to scare away the birds. Ben Gurion airport needs to put up RealDolls to scare away the blackhats.

Posted by: A. Nuran | July 29, 2010 at 12:20 PM

I once came close to paying a stripper to scare away some Haredim who were engaged (and are still) in public acts causing a chillul hashem.