-Caveat Lector- >From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2219337.stm
Tuesday, 27 August, 2002, 16:08 GMT 17:08 UK Wailing Wall 'collapsing' Islamic trustees say the wall is in good condition Part of the Western Wall - Judaism's most revered site - is in danger of falling down, say Israeli officials in Jerusalem. Mayor Ehud Olmert is calling on the Israeli Government to take action to repair the wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. The Western Wall Holiest site in Judaism Part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount Jews go there to pray and leave prayers on pieces of paper between the wall's ancient stones Click here for Jerusalem's holy sites His views are backed by a group of Israeli archaeologists. But the Muslim authorities who run the mosque compound above the wall - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif - have rejected intervention. The bulge, which is about 10 metres wide, has been noticeable in the wall for several years. Mr Olmert told Israel Radio: "There are serious grounds for the apprehension that it could collapse. "In my view, we have reached the moment of truth." Shuka Dorfman, head of the Israeli Antiquities Committee, told The Jerusalem Post that the Waqf, the Muslim religious trust responsible for the site, had turned down requests by Israeli officials to carry out tests and repairs if necessary. "The necessary co-operation needed with the Waqf is non-existent," he said. Waqf director Adnan al- Husayni said Waqf would not agree to intervention by Israel - or any other party - on the compound. He said that Waqf had been monitoring the situation and began repairing the wall several months ago, but that Israel was trying to cause difficulties over the wall, which is part of the most sensitive religious complex in the world. The wall is also known as the Wailing Wall because it was there that Jews bewailed the loss of their Temple above it. That area, now the site of the al-Aqsa mosque, is sacred to Jews and to Muslims. Political dispute It was Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit there as Israeli opposition leader in September 2000 that marked the start of the latest wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence. There have been repeated disputes over stewardship of the mosque compound In effect, the dispute is less about structural integrity of the wall, and more about politics and about ownership of perhaps the most disputed site in the Middle East. During the war in 1967, Israel took control of Arab lands including the old city of Jerusalem. But the government decided to leave the day-to-day custody of the mosque compound in the hands of Muslim religious authorities. Since then, there have been repeated disputes between the two sides over stewardship of the site. But during failed peace talks two years ago, neither side could agree on sovereignty of the compound. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; I don't believe everything I read or send (but that doesn't stop me from considering it; obviously SOMEBODY thinks it's important) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
