For the Palestinian Authority (PA), however, the Festival of Lights is merely another attempt to force Jewish culture on the city, or, as Palestinian spokesman Yusuf Al Mahmoud put it, “one of the tools of Judaization that the occupation authorities are trying to impose.”
“The occupation seeks to use all means that serve its dark objectives, including light and its beauty, in order to further blur the history and present of the ancient Arab cities, “Al Mahmoud quipped. But Arab merchants in the Old City see it differently. They benefit from the thousands of visitors who flock to the historic site. Jews and Arabs, among whom the many tourists mingle, crowd the streets of the Old City to enjoy the marvelous displays. And when they’ve had their fill above ground, most descend into Zedekiah’s Cave for an additional treat for the senses.
Each...
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