I am a strong advocate of the restoration of historical monuments, relics and artifacts.
These heirlooms are essential to understanding our human achievements.
What would the human race be without the pyramids, would history be so rich were it not for the preservation of medieval fortresses or Mayan ruins.
However,I do not believe that the motives behind such restorations should be politically motivated.
Presently in Lviv, Ukraine, there are harsh political words being spoken about the restoration of the Golden Rose Synagogue The destruction of such sites are terrible acts regardless of the religious or ethnic issues involved.
Such acts are acts against humanity and they should not create the opportunity for political groups to vent their aggression against other groups.
The Golden Rose (also known as the Nachmanowicz Synagogue) is a 16th century treasure then designed by the Italian architect Pablo Romano.
It is the oldest Synagogue in Ukraine.
The Golden Rose was burnt and desecrated during the second world war.
Everyone is fully aware of the atrocities suffered by many races during this catastrophic war, the Jewish race in particular.
In 1998 the United Nations, under its' cultural umbrella called Unesco, designated the Golden Rose a world heritage site.
This declaration is a very strong and meaningful act that needs to be respected internationally.
Presently there is a very tall metal fence that surrounds the Golden Rose ruins.
This fence was erected so that local and tourists would not be aware of the destruction that is taking place.
behind this fence are bulldozers and a construction crew preparing to build the new "Citadel Inn", a hotel to accommodate the influx of tourists expected to descend upon Lviv for the Euro cup 2012.
Endangered are the remaining outer walls of the Synagogue, the mik vah and other Jewish artifacts.
Many are calling this act a moral catastrophe.
Many Jews are up in arms and their reaction is being met by strong anti-Semitic statements.
I more so see this irresponsible act as "real estate greed" which is a mortal flaw irrespective of race or religion.
It is humanity that is at fault here.
People count on elected representatives to take the initiative to prevent such outrages to occur.
Ukraine has laws voted by Ukrainians of various backgrounds.
These laws are designated to the preservation of historical sites.
This is why multicultural societies elect people to govern and protect.
As a reaction to international pressure The major of Lviv and Ukraine's president have put a halt to the construction of the hotel and are now looking into the sites' preservation.
I have always felt that Lviv was a very tolerant society.
Call me an idealist but I strongly feel that People from different back grounds and varied walks of life can enjoy Lviv in peace and without prejudicial fear.
We need to look upon the Golden Rose as a universal monument that needs to be protected as all other such valuable sites on planet earth.