Israeli authorities on Monday began new excavations near Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex in occupied Jerusalem, a Palestinian foundation said.Hate to break it to ya, Aqsa Foundation guys, but if you want to prevent Jews from building the Second Temple, you are a tad late.
The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said that the Israeli authorities began the excavations in the southern part of Al-Magharebah Gate, the eastern part of the Umayyad palaces and at the entrance of the Wadi Hilweh neighborhood. The three sites are located in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The foundation said that its inspection teams documented the new excavations in the three sites. It added that these excavations take place at night and are covered with tents and plastic sheets.
It warned that the use of huge machines in the excavation work in the area puts in serious danger the foundations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It added that the Israeli will build in the sites several facilities, including synagogue for women, restroom facilities, police station, tourists’ centers, a network of bridges and iron stairs.
The foundation stressed that goal of excavations “is to Judaize Jerusalem and the collapse of Al-Aqsa Mosque to build the so-called second temple on ruins of it.”
If this story seems familiar, that's because it is an evergreen story in the Arab media. Israel's imminent plans to destroy the Al Aqsa Mosque have been a weekly staple in Arabc media, even though coverage seems perfunctory nowadays. I mean, it is hard to maintain rage when all the previous predictions have been wrong.
Only last spring, we were warned that Israel planned to demolish the mosque ahead of Obama's visit to the region.
My favorite was the prediction that Israel would build the Third Temple on March 16, 2010, based on a completely stupid report from Haaretz. That was in the Arab headlines for months!
In fact, those crafty Jews keep faking out the Al Aqsa Foundation so that when they really are ready to build the Temple, no one will believe it. It is called Operation Cry Wolf. Working like a charm.
(h/t Gidon Shaviv)