BUILDING A DEADLY BRIDGE
Imran Khan
February 09, 2007
Bearing in mind the bitter impact of Ariel Sharon’s (ex-Prime Minister of Israel) visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on 28th September 2000, one would think that Israel could learn and prevent any actions in-that-area which could bring more violence in the region. His visit was condemned by the Palestinians as a provocation and an incursion. In fact, the visit by Sharon (then opposition leader) started a new wave of violence between Palestinians and Israelis known as second Intifada (uprising) or Al-Aqsa Intifada. The day after the Sharon’s visit riots broke out in the West Bank and soon spread to all over occupied Palestine. Since then over 4000 Palestinians and over 1000 Israelis have been killed. There is a shaky Cease-fire in place since November, 2006.
Now Israel is repeating the same mistake again and its Antiquities Authority has started excavation work near a compound housing Al-Aqsa mosque from 6th February, 2007. According to Israeli officials the work will lead to the construction of a bridge to the Mughrabi Gate. The place is known to the Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (the Nobel Sanctuary) and to Jews as Har ha-Bayit (the Temple Mount).
Israeli authorities have given Al-Aqsa mosque compound under the administration of Muslim council, Waqf, but there was no cooperation with Islamic officials over this work. So Israel’s action has ignited a furious reaction in Palestine and around the Arab/Muslim world. Jordon’s King Abdullah has said “What Israel is doing in its practices against our sacred Muslim sites in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa is a blatant violation that is not acceptable under any pretext”. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said “I appeal to all our Palestinian people to be united and rise up together to protect Al-Aqsa”. Many other Muslim leaders have denounced Israel’s work and even voices in Israel called it as a dangerous threat to peace.
Al-Aqsa mosque compound is located in East Jerusalem is the third holiest shrine in Islam and the same place is also considered holiest to the Jews and to some Christians also. The place has been a flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian fighting in past. Israel occupied East Jerusalem after 1967 Arab-Israel war. On 21st August 1969 a fire destroyed a portion of Al-Aqsa mosque which was set by an extremist who wished to destroy the mosque completely so that Jews could build the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount. Many extreme elements in Israel share the same ambition. A terrorist Israeli organization named Makhteret planed to blow up the Al-Aqsa mosque which was foiled by Israeli authorities.
In 1996 Israel’s opening of an entrance to a tunnel near Haram al-Sharif triggered violence in which 61 Palestinians and 15 Israeli soldiers were killed.
Israeli officials have emphasized that the recent work under way at the site was outside the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and posed no danger to the site. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said “The activities being carried out will not harm any of the holy places” She declared that extreme Muslims are trying to exploit things for political goals only.
Let’s suppose that Israel is carrying out work with honesty, there is a need to build a bridge and -as Israelis claiming- that it will pose no danger for Al-Aqsa mosque compound. But why they need to carry out such a work at such a sensitive place without the consent of Muslims? Past experiences have proved that any action at Al-Aqsa mosque compound could bring unprecedented level of violence in the region. Already, there were demonstrations by Arab teens in East Jerusalem.
Israelis could have prevented this situation very easily and if the work is really needed they could have started it with the collaboration of Muslims and even with International architects to clear doubts. It’s just a commonsense and for the endorsement of peace in the region, it would have been a very effective and easy choice.
But will Israel do that? The answer is ‘No’. From day one of its creation Israelis have used the bullying tactics against Palestinians and Arabs. The use of power is everything for them and they always tried to achieve their goals through brutal force. Israelis trying to use the same formula again but what would be the advantage? Apparently there could be more violence in the region between Palestinians and Israelis. Fatah faction said any damage to Al-Aqsa would end a seas-fire with Israel in Palestine. An exiled senior member of Hamas khaled Meshal in Syrian capital warned Israel. He said “Israel knows what its violation of the holy Aqsa will bring. It is playing with fire”.
One thing Israel must never forget that if fresh wave of violence started due to this work, only Palestinians will not be affected but many Israelis will also pay the same price and the winner will be no one.
Now Israel is repeating the same mistake again and its Antiquities Authority has started excavation work near a compound housing Al-Aqsa mosque from 6th February, 2007. According to Israeli officials the work will lead to the construction of a bridge to the Mughrabi Gate. The place is known to the Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (the Nobel Sanctuary) and to Jews as Har ha-Bayit (the Temple Mount).
Israeli authorities have given Al-Aqsa mosque compound under the administration of Muslim council, Waqf, but there was no cooperation with Islamic officials over this work. So Israel’s action has ignited a furious reaction in Palestine and around the Arab/Muslim world. Jordon’s King Abdullah has said “What Israel is doing in its practices against our sacred Muslim sites in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa is a blatant violation that is not acceptable under any pretext”. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said “I appeal to all our Palestinian people to be united and rise up together to protect Al-Aqsa”. Many other Muslim leaders have denounced Israel’s work and even voices in Israel called it as a dangerous threat to peace.
Al-Aqsa mosque compound is located in East Jerusalem is the third holiest shrine in Islam and the same place is also considered holiest to the Jews and to some Christians also. The place has been a flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian fighting in past. Israel occupied East Jerusalem after 1967 Arab-Israel war. On 21st August 1969 a fire destroyed a portion of Al-Aqsa mosque which was set by an extremist who wished to destroy the mosque completely so that Jews could build the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount. Many extreme elements in Israel share the same ambition. A terrorist Israeli organization named Makhteret planed to blow up the Al-Aqsa mosque which was foiled by Israeli authorities.
In 1996 Israel’s opening of an entrance to a tunnel near Haram al-Sharif triggered violence in which 61 Palestinians and 15 Israeli soldiers were killed.
Israeli officials have emphasized that the recent work under way at the site was outside the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and posed no danger to the site. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said “The activities being carried out will not harm any of the holy places” She declared that extreme Muslims are trying to exploit things for political goals only.
Let’s suppose that Israel is carrying out work with honesty, there is a need to build a bridge and -as Israelis claiming- that it will pose no danger for Al-Aqsa mosque compound. But why they need to carry out such a work at such a sensitive place without the consent of Muslims? Past experiences have proved that any action at Al-Aqsa mosque compound could bring unprecedented level of violence in the region. Already, there were demonstrations by Arab teens in East Jerusalem.
Israelis could have prevented this situation very easily and if the work is really needed they could have started it with the collaboration of Muslims and even with International architects to clear doubts. It’s just a commonsense and for the endorsement of peace in the region, it would have been a very effective and easy choice.
But will Israel do that? The answer is ‘No’. From day one of its creation Israelis have used the bullying tactics against Palestinians and Arabs. The use of power is everything for them and they always tried to achieve their goals through brutal force. Israelis trying to use the same formula again but what would be the advantage? Apparently there could be more violence in the region between Palestinians and Israelis. Fatah faction said any damage to Al-Aqsa would end a seas-fire with Israel in Palestine. An exiled senior member of Hamas khaled Meshal in Syrian capital warned Israel. He said “Israel knows what its violation of the holy Aqsa will bring. It is playing with fire”.
One thing Israel must never forget that if fresh wave of violence started due to this work, only Palestinians will not be affected but many Israelis will also pay the same price and the winner will be no one.
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