PALESTINIAN EXPERTS WARNS OF ISRAELI EXCAVATIONS UNDER AL-AQSA MOSQUE

Al-Quds (Jerusalem), 6 Rajab 1435/6 May 2014 (MINA) – Dr. Yusuf Natsheh, Director of Antiquities at the Islamic Waqf department in occupied Jerusalem, has revealed that Israeli excavations under Umayyad palaces had reached depths of up to eight meters.

He told that Israeli excavations have been secretly carried out. Israeli authorities deliberately declare only what they want us to know and not the reality, he said, The Palestinian Informtion Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He said that Israeli excavations are carried out at the southern side of al-Aqsa Mosque particularly under Umayyad palaces and UNRWA school in Silwan town at depths of up to eight meters.

He refused to determine the amount of danger caused by Israeli excavations, proclaiming that Israeli digging operations are more serious than previously thought.

For his part, Director General of Jerusalem’s Awqaf Department Sheikh Azzam Khatib called on UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee to immediately intervene and stop Israeli illegal excavations in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

A Hebrew newspaper revealed on Sunday that Israeli excavations have reached deep layers, estimated at 60 meters.

“We have asked the UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee to check on these excavations as soon as possible”, he said.

He recalled that Israeli authorities had previously refused the mission designated by the Director-General of UNESCO to examine Israeli excavations and tunnels under al-Aqsa Mosque.

Khatib warned of the seriousness of Israeli excavations in al-Aqsa Mosque especially in the Mughrabi Gate and the walls of the holy city.

He stressed that Israeli excavations came in flagrant violation of international laws and conventions.

He pointed to the Islamic Waqf’s efforts in exposing and documenting Israeli excavations in occupied Jerusalem in order to submit them in reports to Jordan’s Ministry of Endowment and to UNESCO.

Following UNESCO’s report criticizing Israeli excavations in occupied Jerusalem, Israeli authorities refused its delegation’s access to the holy city, Khatib concluded.

On the other hand, Israeli police imposed tight restrictions Monday on Palestinian students’ access to Islamic schools in al-Aqsa Mosque.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli police confiscated the identity cards of Palestinian students before entering al-Aqsa Mosque.

The witnesses pointed out, however, that Israeli police allowed entry of dozens of Jewish settlers and tourists into the holy site without any restrictions and under heavy police protection.(T/P02/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)