Sharon tries to find a solution to avoid Temple Mount collapse

Friday, October 11, 2002 | by

ETGAR LEFKOVITS

A team of engineers and archeologists is set to advise the government about the possible collapse of the southern wall of Jerusalem's Temple Mount, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday. Meanwhile, the massive repair effort has begun with the erection of scaffolding.

With hundreds of thousands of Muslims expected to visit the Temple Mount during the holy month of Ramadan beginning next month, Sharon must decide what to do about the large bulge in the wall.

Following warnings by the head of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Shuka Dorfman, of the possible collapse of the wall, Sharon met with Dorfman, Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert and Jerusalem Police Chief Cmdr. Mickey Levy last week to discuss the issue.

At the meeting it was decided that a committee of experts will advise the government how to proceed, Sharon spokesman Ra'anaan Gissin said. He said he did not know when the committee's recommendations were due, but acknowledged that the government is facing a "Ramadan deadline."

"The idea is to reach an agreement that will be amenable to the Wakf as well," Gissin said.

Discreet negotiations with the Wakf have been continuing intermittently for the past year, but there is still no agreement over who will repair the wall—Israel or the Wakf.

Dorfman has noted that Israeli archeologists and engineers have been prevented by Wakf officials from carrying out needed tests.

"The necessary cooperation needed with the Wakf is nonexistent," Dorfman said. "We cannot get in to carry out the tests."

Wakf director Adnan Husseini blamed Israel for the results of any potential disaster because it refuses to allow the Wakf to carry out the renovation worked needed to be done.

The Antiquities Authority first conducted a series of tests on the outside of the wall in the first half of 2000, after sections were seen protruding, probably due to unauthorized Wakf construction work at Solomon's Stables, located just above the site.

Due to the extreme sensitivity of the issue and the need for cooperation from the Wakf, the Antiquities Authority has maintained a low profile on the issue, hoping that diplomatic efforts would bear fruit.

An official familiar with the talks held last week said Israel was in a catch-22 position regarding the 10-meter bulge in the wall. If Israel tries to fix the bulge without Wakf approval, it could lead to Palestinian riots. Alternatively, if the wall were to collapse, causing death or injuries at the controversial site, the situation could be many times worse, the official said.