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Israel to film holy site digging | Israel to film holy site digging |
(2 days later) | |
The Israeli authorities say they are installing video cameras to film excavations near Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest site. | The Israeli authorities say they are installing video cameras to film excavations near Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest site. |
They say live footage will be shown to reassure people that the mosque is not being damaged during the digging. | They say live footage will be shown to reassure people that the mosque is not being damaged during the digging. |
They say the work needs to be completed to replace a walkway, despite angry protests from Muslims around the world. | They say the work needs to be completed to replace a walkway, despite angry protests from Muslims around the world. |
Muslims see the dig as a provocation, and the webcams are unlikely to make much difference, correspondents say. | Muslims see the dig as a provocation, and the webcams are unlikely to make much difference, correspondents say. |
By installing three cameras, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) says it wants to show that this is a proper archaeological work, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Jerusalem says. | By installing three cameras, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) says it wants to show that this is a proper archaeological work, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Jerusalem says. |
JERUSALEM HOLY SITE SACRED TO MUSLIMS: Site of Prophet Muhammad's first prayers and ascent into Heaven, home to al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the RockSACRED TO JEWS: Site of first and second Temples and the rock on which Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice. Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism Guide to holy sites Where archaeology is politics | |
The IAA says live video images of the excavation will be shown on its website beginning on Thursday. | The IAA says live video images of the excavation will be shown on its website beginning on Thursday. |
It says the cameras will be filming the area close to the mosque 24 hours a day. | It says the cameras will be filming the area close to the mosque 24 hours a day. |
But a spokesman for the religious trust which runs al-Aqsa mosque said this was purely cosmetic. | But a spokesman for the religious trust which runs al-Aqsa mosque said this was purely cosmetic. |
He added that instead of putting up cameras, the digging should stop. | He added that instead of putting up cameras, the digging should stop. |
On Sunday, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski said construction work on the edge of a compound was suspended to allow public consultations. | On Sunday, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski said construction work on the edge of a compound was suspended to allow public consultations. |
However, preparatory excavations are continuing, despite riots by Muslim worshippers since the digging began last week. | However, preparatory excavations are continuing, despite riots by Muslim worshippers since the digging began last week. |
The site is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples. | The site is also revered by Jews as the site of their biblical temples. |
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