Last week the Update reported that US Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) introduced the Temple Mount Preservation Act (H.R.2566.IH) with bipartisan support. This bill would eliminate financial aid to the Palestinian Authority until all unauthorized excavations from Judaism's holiest site comes to an end.

Calling the destruction "one of the most unprecedented attacks on religious heritage of our time," Cantor stated at a press conference that under the current circumstances, "thousands of years of Judeo-Christian heritage is under siege at this most sacred of sites to Christianity, Judaism and Islam." The bill would "prohibit assistance to the PA or its instrumentalities unless the president certified that no excavation of the Temple Mount in Israel is being conducted" and states that the "massive excavations and unsupervised destruction of artifacts are undeniable affronts to the concept of religious freedom and tolerance that must be respected in order to achieve and maintain peace in the Middle East."

Readers who wish to make their views known on this bill are encouraged to contact their congressmen directly by phone, and secondly by Fax. (E-mail is not that effective.) To locate your congressman, contact any library or go to: www.//capwiz.com/congressorg/home/ Those who desire to support this bill can also send their name and address by e-mail to: Professor Kahl at kahl1@gate.net and it will be added to a petition that will be hand delivered to key members of the US Congress. (Murray Kahl, kahl1@gate.net, July 25, 2001)

Editor's Note: If you live in the United States we encourage you to let your congressmen know how you feel about the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

PRAYER FOCUS: As we read the Bible we realize the importance of the Temple Mount for Christians and Jews, but even more we realize its importance to God. Pray that God will protect Jerusalem and the Temple Mount from the attacks of the enemy.

SCRIPTURE: "Remember the people You purchased of old, the tribe of Your inheritance, whom You redeemed - Mount Zion, where You dwelt. Turn Your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary" (Psalm 74:2-3).

Used with Permission from Bridges for Peace.