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| Israel to suspend holy site work | Israel to suspend holy site work |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Controversial construction work near one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem is to be suspended, officials say. | Controversial construction work near one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem is to be suspended, officials say. |
| The city's mayor, Uri Lupolianski, said the decision was taken in order to allow the general public to review plans and express any opposition. | The city's mayor, Uri Lupolianski, said the decision was taken in order to allow the general public to review plans and express any opposition. |
| Violence flared last week over digging work near the al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest site. | Violence flared last week over digging work near the al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest site. |
| The compound containing the mosque is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples. | The compound containing the mosque is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples. |
| Mr Lupolianksi said late on Sunday that the building work on a new walkway to replace a damaged bridge will now be postponed to allow public consultation. | |
| Plan of the holy sites | Plan of the holy sites |
| The project will be subjected to a full planning review, which could delay it by months or result in its outright cancellation. | |
| The decision will not affect work currently under way, where archaeologists are carrying out an exploratory dig to ensure no important remains are damaged when the walkway is built. | |
| SACRED TO MUSLIMS Site of Prophet Muhammad's first prayers and ascent into Heaven, home to al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock SACRED TO JEWS Site of first and second Temples and the rock on which Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice Guide to holy sites Where archaeology is politics Why issue runs deep | |
| The construction plans have angered Muslims across the world. The Arab League called it a "criminal attack" and has asked the UN to intervene. | The construction plans have angered Muslims across the world. The Arab League called it a "criminal attack" and has asked the UN to intervene. |
| Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has refused to call off the renovations, despite the recent clashes and opposition within his governing coalition. | |
| Addressing a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, he said the work was essential to repair a dangerous structure and would not affect the mosque compound in any way. | Addressing a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, he said the work was essential to repair a dangerous structure and would not affect the mosque compound in any way. |
| Flashpoint for violence | Flashpoint for violence |
| More than 2,000 Israeli police have been deployed to bolster security at the compound after two days of violent clashes in which dozens were wounded in Jerusalem and the West Bank. | More than 2,000 Israeli police have been deployed to bolster security at the compound after two days of violent clashes in which dozens were wounded in Jerusalem and the West Bank. |
| Access to the site has been denied to Muslim men under the age of 45 and Palestinians from the West Bank. | Access to the site has been denied to Muslim men under the age of 45 and Palestinians from the West Bank. |
| Israeli authorities say the work is needed after a centuries-old walkway partially collapsed in 2004. | Israeli authorities say the work is needed after a centuries-old walkway partially collapsed in 2004. |
| The compound, in the Old City in East Jerusalem - an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war - has regularly been a flashpoint for violence. | The compound, in the Old City in East Jerusalem - an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war - has regularly been a flashpoint for violence. |
| In 1996, Israel's opening of an exit to a tunnel near the site triggered riots in which 80 people died in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops. | In 1996, Israel's opening of an exit to a tunnel near the site triggered riots in which 80 people died in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops. |
| And in 2000, the Palestinian uprising began at the mosque following a controversial tour of the site by Israel's then opposition leader, Ariel Sharon. | And in 2000, the Palestinian uprising began at the mosque following a controversial tour of the site by Israel's then opposition leader, Ariel Sharon. |
| Return to top | Return to top |