Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 16, 2008 Shvat 9, 5768 | | Israel Time: 12:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The controversial Mugrabi gate, adjacent to the Temple Mount compound. (Lior Mizrahi/BauBau) Last update - 06:02 16/01/2008 Jerusalem approves controversial Mughrabi bridge project By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Mughrabi Bridge, Israel  Jerusalem's district planning and construction committee has approved a controversial plan to restore the Mughrabi bridge leading to one of the entrances to the Temple Mount, construction that caused an outcry among Muslims and generated protest from the Jordanian and Turkish governments in June. The plan, approved two weeks ago, also includes expansion of the women's section of the Western Wall plaza. A ministerial committee established after the summer's protests and headed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided two months ago to approve the construction, pending approval by the district planning and construction committee. The cabinet approved the ministerial committee decision after Science and Culture Minister Raleb Majadele withdrew his objection in response to Olmert's request. Advertisement Representatives from the Jerusalem municipality, Israel Antiquities Authority, Waqf (Muslim religious trust) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization met Sunday to discuss the Mughrabi bridge. The Jordanian information minister announced progress in talks on restoring the bridge, but a Jordanian official told Haaretz Tuesday that Jordanian authorities are not aware of any change to the status quo, including expansion of the Western Wall plaza. Ir Amim, a non-profit group advocating what it calls an equitable and stable Jerusalem, recently asked the attorney general to delay approval of the plan. Ir Amim legal consultant Danny Zeidman said the plan includes dangerous and unnecessary elements, including expansion of the Western Wall plaza at the expense of the remnants of the historic Mughrabi Quarter. He also rejected a plan to use the space under the bridge for prayer and said the entire plan reflects the politicization of archaeology. Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall, dismissed the criticism, saying the construction does nothing to harm Muslim interests. He called the plan a miracle that gives Israel a chance to fix the mistake of designating too small an area for the women's section. Related articles: Digs, lies and the Mugrabi bridge The architectural conspiracy of silence A license to dig Bookmark to del.icio.us   Diskin's faulty math Haaretz finds the Shin Bet estimate of Palestinian civilian casualties is too low. Wooing minorities The color of Barack Obama's skin has returned as an issue to the campaign.   1.   mugrabi 05:30  |  geroge 16/01/08   2.   OUR Temple Mount In OUR Capital City 07:26  |  Yishai Kohen 16/01/08   3.   NO CONTROVERCY HERE HAARETZ - OF YOUR MAKING! 09:38  |  B`Galil 16/01/08   4.   What on earth have they to do with this matter? 10:56  |  dovale 16/01/08   5.   The Real Issue Is Jews Run Jerusalem 12:36  |  Norman F Birnberg 16/01/08

Today Online Gaza militants fire at least 25 Qassams at southern Israel Responses: 59 IDF troops kill Islamic Jihad's top West Bank commander Responses: 33 Rosner: PM tells U.S. Jews he wants to hear their voice on J'lem Responses: 9 Amira Hass: Israelis don't get the extent of their domination over the Palestinians Responses: 25 Alexander Yakobson: Horrors of Amona leaves gov't too scared to evacuate outposts Responses: 6 Rosner's Domain Jewish leaders: "falsehood and innuendo used in mischaracterization of Obama" (WTR) Olmert to American Jews: I want your voice on Jerusalem The case for bombing Iran (WTR) The Israel Factor: Let McCain deal with Iran Poll: Does Bush still placing the promotion of democracy at the top of his agenda? More Headlines 11:46 Yisrael Beitenu bolts gov't over peace talks with PA 12:32 Seven people hurt, one seriously, when shell explodes at Haifa naval base 10:50 Gaza militants fire at least 25 Qassams at southern Israel 10:05 IDF soldiers kill Islamic Jihad's top commander in West Bank 10:31 German archives' opening helps Israeli man track his father's death in Holocaust 12:28 Vandals set fire to Israel Football Association offices in Ramat Gan 08:13 Defense officials fear IDF raids in Gaza could threaten Shalit deal 09:58 Bush: Olmert's coalition strong, can withstand peace process 09:44 Thai satellite company stops airing Hezbollah TV broadcasts 06:02 Jerusalem approves controversial Mughrabi bridge project Previous Editions Select Day 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan

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