2008 Woodie Awards
Tensions ramp-ant at Jerusalem's Temple Mount
Nadine Goldman
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Op/Ed
This February, the Israel Antiques Authority (IAA) began excavations and repair work on the Mugrabi Gate, the only entrance by which non-Muslims can have access to the Temple Mount. The old access ramp was damaged by natural causes a few years ago and was deemed unsafe. In its place, a temporary access ramp replaced the old one; however, this ramp was designed for short-term use only. Due to the archaeological richness of the area, excavations to preserve artifacts are taking place at the same time as the construction of the new ramp. The Prime Minister's Bureau has assured that the restoration work done outside the Temple Mount area is being conducted "by professionals and with complete transparency."
And yet, this month has been marked by mass Muslim hysteria and outrage. Hundreds of Palestinians have engaged in rioting at the Temple Mount, often clashing violently with Israeli police. Muslim leaders in Israel, including Arab Kinesset members as well as Islamic leaders in neighboring countries, have called upon worshippers to protest the restoration project. They claim it will damage the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, located 60 meters from the excavation site.
In order to understand the vocal, violent Arab objection to the project and the absurdity of their objection, we have to place this construction project in context.
The Muslim Waqf, the Islamic authority of Jerusalem, has controlled the Temple Mount since 1967; Israel captured the entire Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site, during the Six-Day War and ceded control to the Waqf while keeping the Western Wall and the Mugrabi Gate areas. Considering that all of the excavation and construction work will be done outside of the Temple Mount area on Israeli sovereign soil, the claim that the Al-Aqsa mosque will be harmed in some way is absolutely ridiculous.
The Waqf has actually had its own history of archaeological "digging" on the Temple Mount since 1996 when the Israeli government approved a Muslim request to build a new underground mosque on the Mount. The Waqf's version of archaeological excavation consisted of ripping up 6,000 tons of precious artifact-rich soil with bulldozers and trucks and dumping it into a municipal garbage dump. This flagrant destruction was done without the supervision of the IAA, as is required by law, and completely went against the 1967 Protection of Holy Places Law. Yet, the Ehud Barak-led government looked on, despite the outcry of Israelis and archaeologists worldwide, presumably for the sake of the "peace process." For these Muslim leaders to claim that the Mugrabi Gate project will in some way harm the Al-Aqsa mosque is completely hypocritical. These same Muslim leaders have already done irreparable damage to the Temple Mount in trying to erase evidence of Jewish historical ties.
In contrast, the Israeli controversy over the Mugrabi Gate (yes, there is some even amongst Israelis) has to do with how to preserve the historical artifacts. Several Israeli archaeologists have voiced objections to the project because some of the footings of the new ramp stand in an important archaeological garden. They demand that the ramp be rerouted around the garden.
It is clear that the real reason for the Muslim objection to the project has nothing to do with the Al-Aqsa Mosque and nothing to do with archaeological integrity. Instead, they are objecting to the very notion of non-Muslim access to the Temple Mount. King Abdullah of Jordan has condemned the project, echoing this same objection and saying that it will undermine "the success of efforts being undertaken to restore the peace process." Yet, if history has taught us anything, it is that some sacrifices made in the name of peace are too great.
And yet, this month has been marked by mass Muslim hysteria and outrage. Hundreds of Palestinians have engaged in rioting at the Temple Mount, often clashing violently with Israeli police. Muslim leaders in Israel, including Arab Kinesset members as well as Islamic leaders in neighboring countries, have called upon worshippers to protest the restoration project. They claim it will damage the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, located 60 meters from the excavation site.
In order to understand the vocal, violent Arab objection to the project and the absurdity of their objection, we have to place this construction project in context.
The Muslim Waqf, the Islamic authority of Jerusalem, has controlled the Temple Mount since 1967; Israel captured the entire Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site, during the Six-Day War and ceded control to the Waqf while keeping the Western Wall and the Mugrabi Gate areas. Considering that all of the excavation and construction work will be done outside of the Temple Mount area on Israeli sovereign soil, the claim that the Al-Aqsa mosque will be harmed in some way is absolutely ridiculous.
The Waqf has actually had its own history of archaeological "digging" on the Temple Mount since 1996 when the Israeli government approved a Muslim request to build a new underground mosque on the Mount. The Waqf's version of archaeological excavation consisted of ripping up 6,000 tons of precious artifact-rich soil with bulldozers and trucks and dumping it into a municipal garbage dump. This flagrant destruction was done without the supervision of the IAA, as is required by law, and completely went against the 1967 Protection of Holy Places Law. Yet, the Ehud Barak-led government looked on, despite the outcry of Israelis and archaeologists worldwide, presumably for the sake of the "peace process." For these Muslim leaders to claim that the Mugrabi Gate project will in some way harm the Al-Aqsa mosque is completely hypocritical. These same Muslim leaders have already done irreparable damage to the Temple Mount in trying to erase evidence of Jewish historical ties.
In contrast, the Israeli controversy over the Mugrabi Gate (yes, there is some even amongst Israelis) has to do with how to preserve the historical artifacts. Several Israeli archaeologists have voiced objections to the project because some of the footings of the new ramp stand in an important archaeological garden. They demand that the ramp be rerouted around the garden.
It is clear that the real reason for the Muslim objection to the project has nothing to do with the Al-Aqsa Mosque and nothing to do with archaeological integrity. Instead, they are objecting to the very notion of non-Muslim access to the Temple Mount. King Abdullah of Jordan has condemned the project, echoing this same objection and saying that it will undermine "the success of efforts being undertaken to restore the peace process." Yet, if history has taught us anything, it is that some sacrifices made in the name of peace are too great.