Orthodox Jews protest RFR’s building of hotel in Israel

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[Updated 9:50 p.m. with statement from RFR] Orthodox Jews protest Aby Rosen’s RFR Holding’s construction of a $60 million hotel in Jaffa, Israel, on what protesters say is a cemetery that is home to ancient graves of holy Jewish sages. The demonstrators are in front of the developer’s Manhattan headquarters at 390 Park Avenue, at the corner 54th Street. Rosen wasn’t immediately reachable for comment. RFR directed inquiries to its public relations representatives, who were not immediately available for comment. In response to the protest, RFR released the following statement: “Every stage of the RFR hotel development in Israel has been reviewed and approved by the applicable government agencies of the State of Israel. We have worked with the Antiquities Authority, the government agency that oversees developments in areas of known archeological significance. The Antiquities Authority oversaw all excavation work at the site. The human remains that were discovered during the Antiquities Authority’s excavations were determined to be of Pagan origin, not Hebrew, and were removed from the site and transferred to the Ministry of Religious Services for reburial in accordance with established procedures.” (Photo credit: Jennifer Watson)