The Israeli government approves work at Al Mugrabi gate

Monday December 17, 2007 12:41 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

Israeli media sources reported on Monday that the Israeli government approved a decision that allows the Jerusalem Jewish municipality to resume digging at Al Mugrabi gate.

bulldozers working at Al Mugrabi gate -FIle 2007

Mugrabi gate leads directly to the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims world wide, located in the old city of Jerusalem.

In February, 2007, Israel started the digging there, they claimed the excavations at the 'Mugrabi Gate' near the mosque were aimed at shoring up a rickety bridge.

Attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque have been a major source of conflict in the past. A provocative visit by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in September 2000 sparked the second Palestinian uprising. Since then, over 5000 Palestinians and 1100 Israelis have been killed.

According to Israeli media reports today, the Israel Antiquities Authority have been instructed by the cabinet to continue their work at the Mugrabi gate and finish it "as soon as possible".

After world wide criticism Israel stopped the controversial digging in June, Palestinian and Arab experts say that the digging is close to the Al-Aqsa Mosque foundations, and damaging them will lead to the destruction of the very important holy site.

jerusalem | holy sites | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org