Report: Israel to build elevator to Western Wall
Reageer (0)17-8-2010
JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israel is planning to construct an elevator leading to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, Israeli media reported Monday.
The project will be proposed to planning committees that will make a final decision on the 56-meter structure, the Israeli daily Ma'ariv reported Tuesday.
The elevator is to be named after US businessman Baruch Klein, who will fund the $10 million project, Ma'ariv reported.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation says the plans are a threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is adjacent to the Western Wall.
The area is considered the third holiest in Islam and holiest in Judaism.
In a statement, the foundation said the project intended to divide the mosque and prevent worshipers from reaching it, citing the plan as an attempt by Israeli forces to increase the presence of Jews in the area.
The statement warned that the square in front of the wall could be used as a base to attack the compound.
The compound is a highly sensitive area of the politically contested city. Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's visit to the compound, accompanied by 1,000 guards, in September 2000 sparked a violent response from Palestinians and was a catalyst for the Second Intifada.
On Monday, a Palestinian man stopped an Israeli settler attempting to enter the mosque courtyard, witnesses said.
Ala Az-Zerba said his brother Ammar, who lives near the gate leading to the mosque, held the Israeli man until police arrived to detain him. Later, another Israeli patrol detained Ammar, who was being held at the Russian compound, Ala added.
An Israeli police spokesman did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Israeli authorities restrict access to the compound. During the holy month of Ramadan, these restrictions have been eased to allow Palestinian men over the age of 50 and women aged over 45 to pray at the mosque. Married men over 45 and married women over 30 can access the site, but younger Palestinians from the West Bank are still prohibited from entering Jerusalem.
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