As revealed in a report by the Israeli Peace Now movement and reported on the front page of the New York Times today (an audio report is HERE), a little-known Israeli cabinet decision is one part of a dangerous plan to change the character of Jerusalem's historic core.

Jerusalem is one of the most politically sensitive places in the world. An Israeli effort to redefine the city's heritage threatens to exacerbate violence and undermine Palestinian advocates of a two-state solution.

Past Israeli actions that were perceived as efforts to change the status quo in the Old City - such as the opening of the Hasmonean Tunnel in 1996 or the visit to the Temple Mount by Ariel Sharon in 2000 - triggered riots that caused many casualties.

This groundbreaking report was made possible by the funding that Americans for Peace Now (APN) provides to Peace Now in Israel. Please help Peace Now and APN continue our work by making an online donation now.

APN is hosting an online Q and A with Peace Now's Hagit Ofran (the author of this report) and Jerusalem expert Danny Seidemann (who was also cited in the New York Times article). Click here to offer your thoughts or ask a question.