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| Israel-Palestine |
| Israel May Limit Muslim Worshippers in Jerusalem (security) |
| 2004-09-26 |
| Israel said Sunday it may limit the number of Muslim worshippers at a disputed Jerusalem religious site during the upcoming Muslim holy month because part of the biblical-era complex might collapse. A Jordanian expert said there is no such danger. The announcement, which Palestinians criticized as a scare tactic, threatened to ignite a new controversy at one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 'Scare tactic'? When Arabs are lining up to self-detonate?) The site -- known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Haram as-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary -- is revered by both religions. Israeli Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra said the eastern wall of the mosque compound is in serious danger of collapse after a moderate earthquake last February worsened existing damage to the ancient structure. Archaeologists at the Israel Antiquities Authorities fear that if tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers enter the site during Ramadan, which begins next month, it could lead to a collapse, Ezra said. "The state of Israel cannot take any risk," Ezra told Israel Radio. "If there is no support on the eastern wall, we will have no choice but to decrease the number of worshippers on the Temple Mount in the month of Ramadan, when as you know there are more worshippers than usual." Palestinian officials at the Waqf, or Islamic Trust, which oversees the site, said there is no danger and accused Israel of trying to prevent Muslims from praying at the shrine. "It is a policy to make people afraid before Ramadan," said Adnan Husseini, the director of the Waqf in Jerusalem. On Sunday, a dozen workmen from the Waqf were shoring up walls outside Solomon's Stables, an area under the eastern part of the compound, which was built during the reign of King Herod at the time of Christ. Scaffolding was visible both inside the compound and outside. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #2 My recollection in that the Western Wall or Wailing Wall is below the Temple Mount. In the 1990s the Palestinians were throwing rocks down on the Jewish people at the Wall as they worshipped. I suspect it is a good move on the part of the Israeli's to maintain security and not have some jackass blow his or herself up amongst the Jewish worshippers. |
| Posted by: The Ol Prof 2004-09-26 7:56:17 PM |
| #1 Let the thing cave in. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-09-26 7:20:45 PM |