Israeli digging causes collapse near Western Wall

Rasa - Israeli excavations under the al-Aqsa Mosque have caused collapse just meters away from the Western Wall of East al-Quds (Jerusalem), Press TV reports.

News ID: 1915

Date: 28 December 2014 - 16:54

RNA - The wall is located at the foot of the western side of Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, one of the most important religious sites in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds (Jerusalem).

The collapse came about on Friday in an area in Silwan south of al-Aqsa where the tunnels dug by the Israelis start. Following the incident, the Israeli police sealed off the site and forbade anyone from approaching it.

The Palestinian archeological community has accused Tel Aviv of purposefully damaging Islam’s third-holiest mosque.

“The strong can force their will. Look at the Roman Court in Jerusalem al-Quds. The Israelis turned it into a temple, although, it is not related to Judaism,” said Palestinian archeologist Ibrahim al-Fanni.

“The Israelis invented their own history and the Palestinians failed to look into their own past. Israelis continue with their excavations to create historical identity for themselves.”

Palestinian officials are worried about the political implications and how the excavations could affect the Palestinian main street. They have warned about outburst of violence should anything happen to al-Aqsa Mosque.

“This was expected. Experts have always warned of such an outcome and there is a real possibility of damage to al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Esmat Mansour, expert on Israeli affairs.

“If these activities harmed the mosque in any way, the entire region will be set on fire because protecting al-Aqsa is a duty for every Muslim and Arab citizen.”

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