MIFTAH
Thursday, 28 March. 2024
 
Your Key to Palestine
The Palestinian Initiatives for The Promotoion of Global Dialogue and Democracy
 
 
 

The Israeli cabinet voted in favor of continuing excavation at the Magharba Gate near Al Aqsa Mosque yesterday despite widespread condemnations and protests against the works. The decision came after a series of recommendations by the Israeli security services to beef up security in and around the Old City, especially in the vicinity of the Magharba Gate where the excavations are taking place, in light of the continuous protests by Palestinians and Muslims. For over a week, since the Israeli government announced its intention to rebuild the old bridge over the hill outside Al Magharba Gate, which connects to the Western (Buraq) Wall, Israeli police and border guards have securely closed off the city to all men under the age of 45. This includes children, whose schools are located inside the Old City walls and whose studies have been disrupted since the start of the excavations.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the works would continue, insisting that they are outside the area of the Aqsa Mosque Compound and that the bridge does not offend any Muslim sentiments.

The Muslims, however, beg to differ. Waqf officials maintain the bridge is built over a hill under their jurisdiction and under which ancient Muslim artifacts lie. They also say the works are jeopardizing the western wall of the Compound, putting it at risk of severe damage.

Throughout the week’s protest, several Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli police while scores of others have been injured by stun grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets, including head of the Islamic movement inside Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, who was later released.

The government even disregarded suggestions from within its own establishment to put the excavations on hold. Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski previously announced that the brigde works would be temporarily halted, but was later criticized by Olmert who said he never approved the suggestion.

One especially outspoken Israeli has been archeologist Meir Ben Dov, who told Israeli Radio that the current works at Al Magharba Gate are “illegal and unjustified”. He also said he warned the government about the potential danger such works could have on the structure of the Aqsa Mosque, which he said has “fallen on deaf ears.”

 
 
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