Excavations reported under Al-Aqsa mosque

Despite Tel Aviv’s ‘security’ excuses for its closure of the Al-Aqsa mosque, there are reports confirming Israeli archeological excavations under the holy compound.

Visiting members of The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, who inspected the holy site Wednesday following rising tensions in the occupied East Jerusalem Al-Quds over the shut-down of the Al-Aqsa mosque, said that the Israeli teams are digging under the holy site.

The committee has urged Israeli officials to explain the excavations.

“We want to know exactly where the excavations are being conducted and why they are being kept a secret”, said Sheikh Kamal Rayan, head of the Islamic Al-Aqsa Association. “The Jews are laying the groundwork and building synagogues around the mosque and we are being kept in the dark. We are kept from entering Al-Aqsa, we are kept from observing our faith and customs.”

He, reportedly, also urged the Israelis to exercise ‘transparency’, promising to resolve the tensions if he was assured that the holy site is not in danger.

“Show us our mosque is in no danger,” Rayan said. “Let’s have a civilized dialogue. If Al-Aqsa is in no jeopardy I will call for unity and brotherhood.”

Palestinians have repeatedly warned of attempts by Jewish hardliners to damage the holy site, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to the Jews as the Temple Mount.