News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Israel's cabinet has reinstated archaeological excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Mugrabi Gate to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City.  The cabinet instructed the IAA to work quickly, with full transparency, and in coordination with "relevant bodies," and has allocated 3.5 million shekels to the project.

Excavations at the Mugrabi Gate were brought to a screeching halt in June after various Arab entities inside and apart from the PLO accused Israel of secretly attempting to destroy the Al Aqsa Mosque, raising quick opposition to the dig from countries around the world. The fears are unfounded, based on the the area being outside the Western Wall of the Temple.

When the archaeological excavations are completed, a permanent bridge to the Temple Mount through the Mugrabi Gate will be erected, with a budget of 14 million shekels. A temporary bridge has replaced a ramp to the gate from the Western Wall Plaza which had became dangerous because of the softening of the ground around it.