Although Israel denies its ongoing excavations under the Al-Aqsa Mosque, this reality has left an indelible mark on Palestinians. For many years, the occupying Israeli administration has been working to demolish Al-Aqsa Mosque and build its own temples.
For the first time in 1981, inside the Haram-i Sharif Dome of the RockPalestinians noticed a tunnel extending to Qaitbay Fountain, located close to , and became aware of Israel’s excavation activities under the Masjid al-Aqsa.
Israel, Al-Aqsa MosqueAlthough he denied the excavations he carried out under , this reality was never lost on Palestinians. The tunnel under the Western Wall of the Masjid al-Aqsa and other tunnels opened accordingly, which were announced in 1996, strengthened the suspicions about Israel’s excavations under and around the holy temple.
Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem and Orator of Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Ikrime SabriIn his statement on the subject, he confirmed that Israel was carrying out large-scale excavations, especially under the Masjid al-Aqsa. Israel’s excavations, further increases concerns and tension in the region.
The Purpose of Excavations is to Reach a Finding About Jewish History
Sheikh Sabri: “Israel is carrying out an important excavation work from the Silvan District to the south of the Masjid al-Aqsa towards the Masjid al-Aqsa. As a result of this study, it was concluded that the Masjid is located in the direction of Silvan and Multiple collapses towards the western wall happened. “This proves the impact of Israel’s work.” He pointed out the current existence of large cracks in the foundation of the temple in connection with the tunnel discovered under the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the 1980s.
Speaking about the purpose of Israel’s excavations, Sheikh Sabri said, “The main goal is to find evidence of Jewish history. However, in 1967 Israel Occupy East Jerusalem “Although he did not find any findings in this direction during his excavations.” He expressed it as follows:
Sheikh Sabri also attended the Omeriye School in the Old City, which Israel announced in 1996. ‘Burak Wall’He stated that the tunnel, which extends to , also caused deep cracks in Palestinian properties.
Danger of Demolition of Masjid al-Aqsa
Sheikh Sabri, excavations Serious damage to the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque “These excavations by Israel are clearly damaging the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and, God forbid, will cause it to collapse.” He expressed it as follows:
Pointing out that a possible magnitude 5 earthquake has the potential to destroy the Masjid al-Aqsa due to the excavations, Sheikh Sabri stated that despite the small-scale earthquakes that have occurred in the holy city recently, the Masjid al-Aqsa has not been damaged so far.
Pointing out that Israel did not allow the investigation committee formed by UNESCO regarding the excavations in recent years to initiate an investigation on this issue, Sheikh Sabri said, “Any international committee has the right to see the facts. However, Israel does not allow any delegation that wants to reveal these attacks. “If Israel does not make any attacks on this issue, why does it not allow its actions to be investigated by international committees?” he said.
An International Committee Should Be Established
Sheikh Nacih Bukeyrat, the former director of the Masjid al-Aqsa, shared Sheikh Sabri’s views and emphasized that an international committee should be established to examine Israel’s excavations.
Sheikh BukeyratIn his statement, he said that they could not state the excavation work under the Masjid al-Aqsa with any certainty, but that they had three main reasons stated that there was. Firstly, it showed the tunnel discovered in 1981 and extending to the Qaitbay Fountain, secondly, the cracks that occurred in the buildings adjacent to the Masjid al-Aqsa, and thirdly, the occupation state’s refusal to allow any work to be done on the ground of the Masjid al-Aqsa. Bukeyrat stated that these reasons indicate that the excavation continues and “Why are you afraid?” he asked the question.
Emphasizing that Israel’s excavations around Al-Aqsa Mosque are certain, Sheikh Bukeyrat pointed out that Israel continues its excavations despite all the objections of Palestine, the Arab-Islamic world and UNESCO. Bukeyrat stated that Israel’s excavations are not scientific, they have purely political purposes, and said, “Israel is trying to create a new reality with the tunnels it has extended from the Silvan District to the gates of the Masjid al-Aqsa and is trying to renew the Talmudic-Torah-based mission. The most important evidence of this is the excavations in the Umayyad Palaces area to the south of the Masjid al-Aqsa and the effort to search for the toilets of the so-called Temple of Solomon.” said.
