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by Samuel Sokol (IsraelNN.com) Israel is planning a major archaeological dig under the
Western Wall (Kotel) plaza, opposite the Temple Mount, officials
announced Thursday. The excavations will create an archaeological park
directly underneath the area where worshippers currently stand while
praying at the Kotel.
The current prayer area will remain open, supported by pillars, while a
new area will be added underneath, at the level at which worshippers at
the ancient Temple stood in the past. The dig may be met with harsh reactions from Muslim and Arab leaders in
Israel and the Palestinian Authority, many of whom have accused Israel
of attempting to damage the Al-Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
Jerusalem-area Muslims recently rioted for several days after it was
rumored that “Jewish settlers” had planned to pray on the Temple Mount. The Government Press Office gave foreign journalists a tour of
Kotel-area excavations this week. The tour, ostensibly an apolitical
opportunity to view new historic findings, appeared to be aimed at
countering Muslim criticism of Israeli excavations as well. See drawing
of planned archeological park A reference to Salah Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch met with the journalists and criticized
religious leaders who use the Kotel excavations as an excuse for
violence. When asked, the rabbi said that he was referring to Sheikh
Raed Salah, among others. Sheikh Salah, leader of the extremist Islamic
Movement, has been involved in many of the anti-Israel riots centered
around the Temple Mount. Rabbi Rabinovitch informed the reporters that Jewish law forbids digs
directly underneath the Temple Mount, where the Al-Aksa mosque is
located. Digs take place around the mount, not beneath it, he said. The journalists also met with engineers and others involved in the
archaeological digs, who assured them that despite accusations to the
contrary, Israel's excavations do not cause harm to structures in the
area. In fact, they explained, the excavations have improved structural
stability in the Temple Mount area, as they led to discovery and
strengthening of areas in which there was a danger of collapse.
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