By Corinne Heller

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's cabinet decided on Sunday to press ahead with archaeological digging outside Jerusalem's most contentious religious site despite Arab protests, a government official said.

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1:30PM EST, Sun 11 Feb 2007
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Israeli cabinet approves Jerusalem excavations

Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:15AM EST
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By Corinne Heller

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's cabinet decided on Sunday to press ahead with archaeological digging outside Jerusalem's most contentious religious site despite Arab protests, a government official said.

""All the ministers agreed the work being done does not harm Islamic holy sites in any way,"" the official said.

Israel's archaeological authority is searching for ancient artifacts some 50 meters (yards) from Haram al-Sharif, a compound in Arab East Jerusalem that houses the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque.

Arab leaders and Muslim clerics charge the excavations could damage the foundations of the holy sites, an allegation Israeli officials said was politically motivated.

Once the excavations are completed, Israel plans to proceed with a project to build a pedestrian bridge to the complex to replace a ramp damaged in a snowstorm and an earthquake in 2004.

Jews revere the compound, overlooking Judaism's Western Wall, as Temple Mount, where two destroyed biblical temples once stood.

""The government approved continuation of construction at the approach to the Mughrabi Gate (leading into the complex) within the proposed framework, at all possible speed,"" the official said. ""Three ministers abstained.""  Continued...

 

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