The Cave of the Patriarchs. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The New York Times is re-labeling the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, in order to make Jews seem like occupiers of Muslim holy sites.

The Cave of the Patriarchs is mentioned in the first chapter of the Hebrew Testament, Genesis 23:9. Genesis was written about 3,400 years ago, but the oral recording of the Bible preceded that. Islam is 1,400 years old. Therefore, the “Cave of the Patriarchs” was the name in use for at least 2,000 years before Muslims could possibly have formulated an alternative name.

Israel controls Hebron now, and has a strong claim to the area. So whether your criterion for authoritative naming is who originated it or who controls the area now, the Jewish people possess that authority.

As with the Temple Mount, the Times has used: (1) Used the official name; to (2) given equal billing to the two religions’ names — the Israeli name followed by the Muslim name; to (3) called it the Muslim name followed by the Israeli name; and (4) called the Cave the Ibrahimi Mosque, without referring to its Jewish name.

The misuse of names is part of the Islamic and NY Times‘ anti-Israel propaganda to boost the Islamic territorial claim. Pejorative wording intentionally erodes Israel’s standing there (and the Times’ standing among thoughtful readers).

Once again, the Times shows it has no interest in partiality. Only in helping the Palestinians erase the land of Israel.