So much for Holy Basin fantasies

Palestinians oppose elevator in Jewish Quarter for handicapped access to Western Wall


IMRA
16 August '10

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

Years ago Yossie Beilin proudly proclaimed that he solved all the issues with his Palestinian pal Mahmoud Abbas with a proposal to "solve" the conflict. His "solution" for Jerusalem was to appoint a committee to resolve the issues.

Yes. Sounds funny in retrospect, but given that 99.99% of Israelis and 99.9999999% of Israeli politicians don't look beyond the headlines, he got a lot of mileage with the claim that he had a "solution".

Nowadays there are all kinds of politicians with a "solution" for Jerusalem in which the issue of sovereignty over the heart of Jerusalem is solved by running it with - that's right - a committee.

Another joke.

So here is a simple example of how this would be a joke.

An elevator to provide handicapped access to the Western Wall from the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is opposed by the Palestinians because it somehow threatens the Al-Aqsa Mosque to build an elevator in the Jewish Quarter next to the Aish Hatorah Yeshiva. That's not adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque - its way on the other side of the plaza.

So if the Arabs have a problem with building an elevator for handicapped access in the Jewish Quarter, just imagine what would happen running the Old City via committee.

Report: Israel to build elevator to Western Wall
Published yesterday (updated) 16/08/2010 21:54
www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=308471

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israel is planning to construct an elevator leading to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, Israeli media reported Monday.

The project will be proposed to planning committees that will make a final decision on the 56-meter structure, the Israeli daily Ma'ariv reported Tuesday.

The elevator is to be named after US businessman Baruch Klein, who will fund the $10 million project, Ma'ariv reported.

The Al-Aqsa Foundation says the plans are a threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is adjacent to the Western Wall.

The area is considered the third holiest in Islam and holiest in Judaism.

In a statement, the foundation said the project intended to divide the mosque and prevent worshipers from reaching it, citing the plan as an attempt by Israeli forces to increase the presence of Jews in the area.

The statement warned that the square in front of the wall could be used as a base to attack the compound......

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