(ETH) – A disturbing report coming out of the Middle East is indicating that an Iranian group is reportedly threatening to destroy what is believed to be the ancient burial site of Queen Esther and Mordechai mentioned in the Bible, in Hamedan. The threat comes allegedly in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” Israeli-Palestinian peace plan that was recently announced.
According to CBN News, The Basij group, which is a hardline student wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, released a statement earlier this month where they have threatened to destroy the tomb and replace it with a Palestinian consulate. Their warning stated:
“We warn the United States and the Zionist regime …that the first act of fulfilling their filthy desires and the slightest attack on Palestine and the holy al-Quds (Jerusalem) means that they will no longer occupy a place as Esther’s tomb…we’ll turn it into a Palestine consulate and you will see the fulfillment of this promise,” Despite the threat, Ali Malmir, the director of Hamedan’s tourism office, told Iran’s ISNA news site on February 7 that it is not possible to tear down the tomb because there are specific rules for cultural heritage buildings that cannot be violated. The Iranian group responded by saying that Iran must show its power and Palestinian rights are more important than protecting Jewish cultural sites.
