Source: Prime Minister's Office
Feb 12, 2007
Israel's cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved the continuation of renovation work outside Jerusalem's Temple Mount, despite escalating Muslim violence and rhetoric.
The work is being done on a partially-collapsed earthen ramp leading to the Temple Mount's Mugrabi Gate, the sole access point to the holy site for Jews and Christians.
Muslim leaders claim Israel is trying to undermine the foundations of the mosques currently occupying the biblical compound, and are inciting local Arabs to engage the Israelis in violent street clashes.
A cabinet statement issued after Sunday's vote reiterated that the renovation work is taking place well outside the Temple Mount walls, and in no way threatens the foundations of the mosques.