Haaretz reports the approval of the construction of a tunnel near the Western Wall.
The Israel Antiquities Authority has decided to dig a tunnel under the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, close to the Temple Mount. Two weeks ago, the IAA denied such a decision had been made. The tunnel will connect those under the Temple Mount and the site of Ohel Yitzhak, some 150 meters from the Temple Mount wall. The decision to begin the dig was taken in spite the fact that no plan was filed to the planning authorities. Moreover, the Palestinians under whose homes the tunnel will pass were not consulted, even though the law grants them ownership over the territory under their property. (Meron Rapoport)
The third sentence should be corrected to read: “The tunnel will connect the Western Wall ‘rabbinic tunnels’ and the site of Ohel Yitzhak….” Such a mistake might be excusable if not for the fact that dozens were killed as a result of a similar falsehood perpetuated by Yasser Arafat in 1996. He inaccurately claimed that Israel was digging under the Temple Mount and 85 Muslims and 16 Israelis died in the riots that resulted.
HT: Joe Lauer
One thought on “New Western Wall Tunnel Approved”
This is how the Arab press is reporting it:
“Israeli Body Starts Building Tunnel Under Al-Aqsa”
Mohammed Mar’i, Arab News.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=105479&d=10&m=1&y=2008