Below is a sample fax message which was sent to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert by concerned citizens of the state of Michigan. Please feel free to use or adapt the message.

To: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Fax: 972-2-5664838
Re: Destruction of Antiquities

Honorable Prime Minister,

As is of your knowledge, under The Antiquities Law for the preservation of antiquities in the Land of Israel, it is illegal to destroy any object which was made by man before 1700 CE, or any zoological or botanical remains from before the year 1300 CE or at an Antiquity Site that is also a Holy Place. Please find below a direct quotation from the above referred to Law:

"With the creation of the State of Israel it was decided to establish the Department of Antiquities (in 1948). In April 1990 the Antiquities Authority was founded, operating in accordance with the Antiquities Authority Law and the Law of Antiquities. We, the workers and administrators of the Antiquities Authority, consider the protection of the countryÕs antiquities a mission of the highest calling, and act to achieve this aim by properly balancing the countryÕs development needs with the safeguarding of its antiquities.

The Antiquities Law 1978 was enacted in order to protect the antiquities of the country, i.e., any object, which was made by man before 1700 CE, or any zoological or botanical remains from before the year 1300 CE.

Antiquity Sites that are also Holy Places

Israel, the Holy Land, has many ancient sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as to the Druze and Bahai communities. Holy sites are sometimes dedicated to revered personalities, like the Patriarch Abraham, King David, the Prophet Samuel, Jesus, and the Prophet Muhammad. Several of the holy sites in Israel are also archaeological sites, e.g., the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and others. Archaeological activities at these sites, which are legally defined as holy sites, are not dependent on the sole discretion of the IAA Director-General. Any changes (e.g., excavation, construction, preservation of ancient walls, etc.) require approval of the Ministerial Committee for Holy Places, which consists of the Minister of Justice, Education and Religious Affairs. The IAA is responsible for the intergrity of these holy sites."

The destruction being wrought by the Moslem Wakf on the Temple Mount is greatly appalling, and it deeply disturbs us to think that the Israeli Government has allowed the situation to have come to this wanton and shameful breaking of the Law. Therefore, in view of the very clear and well specified requirements of the Antiquities Law, we write to you requesting that you immediately put a stop to the on going destruction of antiquities being perpetrated by the Moslem Wakf on the Temple Mount. Moreover, we strongly urge you to direct the Antiquities Authority to immediately take over the site of the excavation and start proper Archeological digs in a professional and careful manner, insuring the preservation of all artifacts therein found in accordance with this Law.

Sincerely,