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Islamic Movement leader Ra'ad Salah being detained last year while protesting the Mugrabi Gate excavations. (AP / Archives) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 15:02 14/10/2007 Mugrabi excavations delayed due to appeal by Arab minister By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent The decision to renew excavations at the Mugrabi Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem was postponed on Sunday after Sports, Science and Culture Minister Ghaleb Majadele appealed a ministerial committee vote and requested that debate on the matter be brought before the cabinet plenum. Government regulations stipulate that when a decision is appealed by a minister, it is delayed pending further government discussion. In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel, the Israeli Arab minister warned that the committee's decision to renew the excavations could spark riots and exacerbate tensions with neighboring countries ahead of next month's planned Annapolis peace summit. Advertisement Majadele asked that the appropriate authorities involved, namely the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and UNESCO, be given a chance to express their opinions on the matter before a final decision is made. The excavations - which are to prepare for the construction of a new bridge to the Mugrabi Gate, between the Western Wall and the Temple Mount - were stopped in June after they sparked protests from the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries. However, the Ministerial Committee on Jerusalem approved their renewal about two weeks ago and digging was set to begin in the coming days. The Jordanian ambassador to Israel, Ali Ayed, asked for clarifications on Friday from the Foreign Ministry and warned that a renewal of the excavations might sabotage next month's Annapolis summit. The committee's decision was approved by ministers Avi Dichter, Rafi Eitan and Jacob Edery, over the objections of the Foreign Ministry, whose representatives told the ministerial committee Israel had pledged to several countries to prevent increased tensions around the Temple Mount. Majadele, under whose aegis the IAA falls, told the committee that renewing the work was not in keeping with the desire to promote a diplomatic process, and that the all such work should be coordinated with the Waqf, the Muslim religious trust. Haaretz has learned that the decision to renew work came after pressure on the government by the rabbi in charge of the Western Wall and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which is in charge of maintaining the Western Wall plaza and surroundings. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's bureau said it saw no problem with renewing the work, and its halt in recent months reflected planning problems, and not a political decision. In response, Hadash MK Mohammed Barakeh on Sunday condemned the ministerial panel's decision to resume archaeological work at the site. The IAA said conservation and documentation had been ongoing, and that excavations would be renewed when the appropriate instructions were received. The IAA began a salvage dig at the site at the beginning of the year as part of a Jerusalem municipality plan to build a new bridge for tourists from the Western Wall plaza up to the Temple Mount. In the face of opposition in Israel and abroad due to possible undermining of the foundations of the Temple Mount, and following a visit to the site by experts from Turkey, the municipality stopped the excavations and announced they would resume only after the plan was authorized as part of the city master plan. The Jerusalem Planning and Construction Council gave the green light on a program last August that was much more modest than the original. Now in the final process of approval, it takes into consideration architects' and archaeologists' concerns that the bridge could cause damage to the antiquities and obstruct the view of the Temple Mount's western and southern walls. Another objection raised was that the project would involve construction in the Southern Wall Archaeological Park, which was said to be a dangerous precedent that might spread to other such sites. The Ir Amim association demanded over the weekend in a letter to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz that he instruct the relevant bodies, including the IAA, not to reopen the dig at the Mugrabi Gate until the bridge is approved as part of the municipal master plan and receives all appropriate authorizations. Ir Amim's legal counsel, Danny Zeidman, wrote to Mazuz that the excavations were not for maintenance purposes only, but were extensive and intended to expose and remove archaeological strata from the modern and Ottoman periods. Ir Amim warned that if work was begun before authorization for the bridge was completed, it would put the legality of the construction to the test. The association said the law required reporting such work to the local planing and construction committee at least 15 days before the work started. As far as is known, such a report was not made to the authorities in Jerusalem. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has listed the Mugrabi Gate as a World Heritage Site. A UNESCO source told Haaretz that in June the Foreign Ministry told the UN body that the work had been stopped except for "stabilization work." The chair of the government committee that oversees UNESCO work in Israel, Professor Mike Turner, wrote in a position paper in July that the conservation and protection of the archaeological remains from various historical and cultural periods and their integration into the archaeological park in the Western Wall plaza area must be assured; that safe access must be provided to the Mugrabi Gate in consideration of historic pathways; and that the site must be designed in an authentic manner and ensure the integrity of the site while leaving the option of an overall plan for the area from the Western Wall to the Old City walls. Turner said his statement was prepared in cooperation with the IAA. Turner also stated that Israel had to coordinate its construction at the site with UNESCO Bookmark to del.icio.us Part of Jerusalem? PM Olmert questions whether Arab neighborhoods should be defined as part of the capital. Who is a Jew? Israel's draft constitution states that 'every Jew is entitled to immigrate to Israel.'   1.   ISRAEL wants to spark violence so it will have a reason.......... 03:37  |  Mohammed 14/10/07   2.   It is none of Jordan`s business what Israel does on its territory 03:44  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/10/07   3.   The answers are not in the ground. They`re in the heart. 04:33  |  They`re in you!!! 14/10/07   4.   Integration proves conflict is Satanic! 04:54  |  Paul 14/10/07   5.   Almost in you! 04:56  |  Paul 14/10/07   6.   As I have already predicted the hate monger #1 provides the proof 05:04  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/10/07   7.   Tensions --- Argh gh. aah aah. 05:09  |  David 14/10/07   8.   Mohammed 05:21  |  Nathan Brazil 14/10/07   9.   Muhammed #1 -- that makes no sense 05:26  |  bbl 14/10/07   10.   just by commenting the arabs make our actions necessary. 05:31  |  ralph 14/10/07   11.   It`s time to make Arabs bow 05:39  |  Frank 14/10/07   12.   Digging on Temple Mount 05:43  |  David 14/10/07   13.   Arab Destruction of Jewish Antiquities OK 05:51  |  Mike 14/10/07   14.   bbl & Nathan,Do not argue reason with the terrorists, attack them 06:02  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/10/07   15.   Majadele as Culture Minister = Mistake! 06:03  |  Taxpayer 14/10/07   16.   landgrab and controversial digs 06:20  |  r.m. 14/10/07   17.   Stop the Peace meeting? 06:49  |  Neil 14/10/07   18.   Jerusalem is Jewish 06:53  |  RB 14/10/07   19.   Mohammed on antiquities 06:54  |  Lynn 14/10/07   20.   To Mohummad - East Jerusalem #1 06:59  |  Logic 14/10/07   21.   Mugrabi Gate 07:02  |  Aryeh 14/10/07   22.   so ummmm...what else is new? 07:10  |  eric 14/10/07   23.   Who cares what terrorists dispute? 08:35  |  Gili 14/10/07   24.   #13: Dayan`s action was DELIBERATE 08:58  |  Yaakov K. 14/10/07   25.   r.m 09:49  |  Nephtaly 14/10/07   26.   Jordan has the right to 09:51  |  yar 14/10/07   27.   Horray, they`re digging again!!!! 09:59  |  Oldtimer 14/10/07   28.   Boot out the 5`th column, Majadele from the Israeli Goverment! 09:59  |  Absolute Sweden 14/10/07   29.   N0 1 - absolutely correct! 10:04  |  Palestinian Brit 14/10/07   30.   1 - well, if you people could control yourselves... 10:08  |  matt 14/10/07   31.   Jerusalem is Jewish 10:09  |  Palestinian Brit 14/10/07   32.   Facts to remember 10:39  |  Levi 14/10/07   33.   Jerusalem IS Jewish 10:57  |  Millie 14/10/07   34.   Palestinian Brit 10:59  |  Nephtaly 14/10/07   35.   Why would Haaretz write such a stupid headline??? 11:11  |  B`Galil 14/10/07   36.   Muhammed # 1 12:58  |  ChanahS 14/10/07   37.   excavations 12:58  |  Jul 14/10/07   38.   Something doesn`t seem right.... 13:09  |  Yoni 14/10/07   39.   Stupid rocks 13:18  |  Cham de Frey 14/10/07   40.   Mohammed, NO ARABS WANT THE MEETING EITHER! 13:18  |  Petra 14/10/07   41.   Another attempt 14:24  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/10/07   42.   Olmert mollifying Shas 14:36  |  Tosefta 14/10/07   43.   People like Ibrahim, Walid Al-sharameet must be banned 14:42  |  Tamir Palestine 14/10/07   44.   Cham de Frey # 39 14:48  |  ChanahS 14/10/07   45.   Chris Linthwaite # 41 14:50  |  ChanahS 14/10/07   46.   TO #41 15:10  |  Major Jeff Hakins 14/10/07   47.   ChanaS 15:32  |  GABE1 14/10/07   48.   #47 Gabe1 15:47  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/10/07   49.   Jordan-israel Peace Agreement 15:48  |  khairi janbek 14/10/07   50.   TOSSI Fetta @42 16:03  |  GABE1 14/10/07   51.   They Know Already That You Will Back Down 16:05  |  Tony Anthony 14/10/07   52.   New approach bridge replacing the Mugrabi Gate is needed. 16:09  |  H.H.M 14/10/07   53.   # 43 Tamir Palestine. People like Ibrahim,etc.You Are Right!. 16:19  |  Kath` 14/10/07   54.   # 41 Chris Linthwaite.YOU SEE HOW YOUR TWISTED IDEAS SURFACE?? 16:26  |  Kath` 14/10/07   55.   LAND GRAB AND EXCAVATION: ISRAEL`S TOOL TO SABOTAGE SUMMIT 16:34  |  TrippleJump 14/10/07   56.   # 37 Jul...excavations. Their Idea Is to Scurper the Important.. 16:35  |  Kath` 14/10/07   57.   FRank#11... It`s time to make Jews bow! 16:37  |  TrippleJump 14/10/07   58.   # 35 B`Galil. THAT`S WHAT I THOUGHT ON SEEING THE HEADLINE. 16:38  |  Kath` 14/10/07   59.   Babe1 #50 16:50  |  Tosefta 14/10/07   60.   Chris Lint Wait @48 17:22  |  GABE1 14/10/07   61.   Kath` re Annapolis 17:31  |  GABE1 14/10/07   62.   # 22 eric...ummm...what alsways new? 17:56  |  Kath` 14/10/07   63.   #60 Gabe 1 19:00  |  Chris linthwaite 14/10/07   64.   archeology v Olmert politcs 19:09  |  zionist forever 14/10/07   65.   Mohammed--This is for you! 19:26  |  fullu 14/10/07   66.   Remember the digging to replace some stupid cable approve by waqf 19:48  |  mary for jews 14/10/07   67.   # 42 Tosefta 19:58  |  Lynn 14/10/07   68.   Jordan - the protector of Jerusalem as documented by UNESCO ! 20:14  |  habakuk 14/10/07   69.   # 53 Well said Kath and Tamir!!!! 20:24  |  Lynn 14/10/07   70.   Israeli Officials should be charged with incitement.... 20:41  |  Dutch 14/10/07   71.   Kath and Lynn, thank you both 21:05  |  Tamir Palestine 14/10/07   72.   A Little Perspective 21:52  |  Daybreak 14/10/07   73.   Is Jerusalem the capital or isn`t it. 21:56  |  Chick 14/10/07   74.   Mugrabi Excavations...etc 22:19  |  RonH 14/10/07   75.   Tossi Fetta #59 22:53  |  GABE1 14/10/07   76.   Chris Lint Wait 22:55  |  GABE1 14/10/07   77.   Chris Linthwite #47 23:14  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/10/07   78.   Dutch 23:17  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/10/07   79.   Chis #48 23:39  |  Avi Yerushalmi 14/10/07   80.   Dutch a Goebells Facsimile 23:50  |  GABE1 14/10/07   81.   Can you dig it? 00:03  |  Webster 15/10/07   82.   to 48 00:21  |  Jimmy carter 15/10/07   83.   # 29 Pal Brit 01:10  |  Lynn 15/10/07   84.   Chris Linthwaite 01:12  |  17 15/10/07   85.   #48 Chris Linthwaite`s Predictions 01:16  |  Daybreak 15/10/07   86.   # 41 Linthwaite 01:17  |  Lynn 15/10/07   87.   Islamic Enemies of Archeology and Enemies of the Jewish People 01:36  |  Efox 15/10/07   88.   The destructive nature of Archaeology 04:13  |  Mark Lincoln 15/10/07   89.   AM I ALLOWED TO DIG IN MY OWN BACKYARD? 06:12  |  PalestniansAreA Myth 15/10/07   90.   #65 fullu - Hooray for you! 08:34  |  Oldtimer 15/10/07   91.   A Way to Peace 15:30  |  Moses 15/10/07   92.   # 62 ahhh...lady kath`; your lines truly shine 05:43  |  eric 16/10/07

Today Online Israel, Hezbollah in swap said to include info on Ron Arad Responses: 77 Olmert hints Israel willing to part with Arab areas of J'lem Responses: 394 Amira Hass: Israel has turned the Gaza Strip into a zoo Responses: 335 Draft constitution ignores question of who is a Jew Responses: 83 Rabin assassin Yigal Amir asks to attend son's circumcision Responses: 92 Haaretz.com TV: Despite lobby's power, U.S. Jews are losing their bond to Israel Responses: 85 Rosner's Domain * Rice "understand risks to announcing a meeting" (WTR) * Guest: How to stop Hamas from spoiling Annapolis? * McCain is the pro-peace process GOP candidate * Poll: Is Rice's effort brave, pathetic, realistic, dangerous? More Headlines 03:21 Israel, Hezbollah conduct first swap since 2006 war 04:42 ANALYSIS: Israel, Hezbollah need no trust building measures 02:28 Abductees' families cautiously optimistic over Hezbollah deal 02:54 Likud urges Shas, Lieberman to quit gov't over PM's 'intention' 04:26 Cartoon spat prompts Shas to quit Knesset religious lobby 03:56 Balad activist murdered on doorstep of his business in Lod 05:32 Justice Minister orders drafting of bill limiting length of criminal probes 23:17 Polish right-wing party accused of running anti-Semitic campaign ad 22:15 Prisons Service refuses to allow Yigal Amir to attend son's circumcision 18:51 Israeli Arab member of Galilee terror group convicted of killing soldier Previous Editions Select Day 15 oct 14 oct 12 oct 11 oct 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct 07 oct 05 oct 04 oct 03 oct 02 oct

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