MKs tour Temple Mount to view illegal Wakf construction

(IsraelWire-6/21) A group of members of Knesset on Tuesday toured Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, to get a first-hand look at the ongoing construction being conducted by the Moslem Wakf Authority in conjunction with the Israel Islamic Association.

Police and members of the archaeological community accompanied the legislators on the tour organized by Likud MK Danny Naveh. The trip however was cut short when the group arrived at the Al Aksa Mosque at a time of prayer. According to the Arutz-7 News Agency, Wakf officials blocked MKs, barring them from entering actual sites where construction is underway.

Growing complaints from members of Knesset, religious leaders, archaeologists, and public personalities, from across the political and religious spectrum sparked the initiative for the tour. It has already been established that the government’s decision to turn a blind eye – fearing an outbreak of Islamic violence, has contributed to what Amir Drori, who heads the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) calls an act of destruction unprecedented since the destruction of the Second Temple. The work is going on in the area known as Solomon’s Stables.

John Seiligman, of the IAA, told IBA’s English News team on Tuesday that the work on the Mount, which began about four months ago, caused significant damage to the Mount during its initial stages. He explained that the construction now, including paving and completing areas, is not creating new damage but precious rubble containing historical artifacts continues to removed from the site.

Participating in the tour were elected officials from the Likud, Meretz and Arab parties.

The Wakf – Moslem Religious Trust, was given responsibility for the area, home of the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque, by the government of Israel following the 1967 Six Day War. Despite the Temple Mount, home of the First and Second Temples, being the holiest site to the Jewish people, the Wakf denies Freedom of Worship to Jews wishing to pray on the Mount.

Israeli paratroopers liberated the Mount in June 1967, freeing it from Jordanian occupation.