A problematic wall along the ascent to the Mughrabim Gate of the Temple Mount, adjacent to the Western Wall Plaza, has been removed - but not the problems themselves. Archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar says that the entire "hill" leading up to the Mughrabim Gate is shaky, and that the authorities have negligently ignored it over the years. A perfect view of the hill, gate, and former wall can be seen at "www.kumah.org".
The wall began to crumble during the recent snowstorm in Jerusalem and following last week's earthquake, and a crane operator was called in on Monday to totally remove the wall so as not to endanger the female worshipers below (the men pray well to the left of the area). Speaking with Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri today, Dr. Mazar said that the lack of professional archaeological treatment of the hill is symptomatic of a general negligence and apathy in the entire area - as evidenced most clearly by the lack of an Israeli stand against the Waqf's construction works on the Temple Mount.
Asking, "Why is Prime Minister Sharon silent? Why is Antiques Authority head Shuka Dorfman silent?", Dr. Mazar said that a public outcry must be raised over the lack of a proper Israeli position regarding the area. The stone structure under the hill, she said, may be as old as the Mamluke Period, some 700 years ago, but under it are remnants from the Second Temple Period, 2,000 years ago. "If they were to remove the hill," Dr. Mazar said, "an 8-meter high gate to the Temple Mount would be uncovered. It's known as Barclay's Gate, after the 19th-century American consul who first identified it. Today, only the top of its lintel can be seen [from the women's section]. It is very beautiful, and when it is uncovered it will be one of the most beautiful scenes in the Old City."
Dr. Mazar has long warned of a collapse in the Temple Mount area. "The Mount is built atop large underground caverns," she said. "Ever since the earthquake of 1927, when the structure collapsed, no one has checked the status of the walls and the caverns. From the outside can be seen worrisome signs such as cracks and bulges. The entire compound is shaky... The refurbishing work that is supposedly going on is not serious - but at the same time, though, the Moslem Waqf is continuing its works without any supervision."
The Antiquities Authority spokesperson released a statement saying that the Authority, "authorized by law to preserve and protect the antiquities in Israel, is involved in all that goes on in the Temple Mount compound, and is dealing with the issue of antiques outside the Mount vis-a-vis all the relevant bodies."
The wall began to crumble during the recent snowstorm in Jerusalem and following last week's earthquake, and a crane operator was called in on Monday to totally remove the wall so as not to endanger the female worshipers below (the men pray well to the left of the area). Speaking with Arutz-7's Yosef Meiri today, Dr. Mazar said that the lack of professional archaeological treatment of the hill is symptomatic of a general negligence and apathy in the entire area - as evidenced most clearly by the lack of an Israeli stand against the Waqf's construction works on the Temple Mount.
Asking, "Why is Prime Minister Sharon silent? Why is Antiques Authority head Shuka Dorfman silent?", Dr. Mazar said that a public outcry must be raised over the lack of a proper Israeli position regarding the area. The stone structure under the hill, she said, may be as old as the Mamluke Period, some 700 years ago, but under it are remnants from the Second Temple Period, 2,000 years ago. "If they were to remove the hill," Dr. Mazar said, "an 8-meter high gate to the Temple Mount would be uncovered. It's known as Barclay's Gate, after the 19th-century American consul who first identified it. Today, only the top of its lintel can be seen [from the women's section]. It is very beautiful, and when it is uncovered it will be one of the most beautiful scenes in the Old City."
Dr. Mazar has long warned of a collapse in the Temple Mount area. "The Mount is built atop large underground caverns," she said. "Ever since the earthquake of 1927, when the structure collapsed, no one has checked the status of the walls and the caverns. From the outside can be seen worrisome signs such as cracks and bulges. The entire compound is shaky... The refurbishing work that is supposedly going on is not serious - but at the same time, though, the Moslem Waqf is continuing its works without any supervision."
The Antiquities Authority spokesperson released a statement saying that the Authority, "authorized by law to preserve and protect the antiquities in Israel, is involved in all that goes on in the Temple Mount compound, and is dealing with the issue of antiques outside the Mount vis-a-vis all the relevant bodies."