Israel said that though no agreement was reached with the Islamic Waqfs authority, this would not hinder the digging

By Maha Abdul-Hadi & Suleiman Besharat, IOL Correspondents

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, January 3 (IslamOnline.net) – Israel is planning to dig a new tunnel under Al-Aqsa mosque – Islam’s third holiest site – with eight million dollars donated by a Jewish American millionaire, a Palestinian organization revealed Friday, January 2.

The tunnel is designed to tighten the grip of the Israeli occupation forces on the sacred compound, protect Jews who visit it and Judaize the Old City, said Al-Aqsa Foundation for Reconstruction.

"I warn against taking such a transgression on the Islamic holy place, and call on Muslims – governments and people – to heed this dangerous situation," Ikrima Sabri, Mufti of occupied Jerusalem, told IslamOnline.net.

"Al-Aqsa mosque and its surroundings, including Buraq Wall, is a Muslim legitimate right", he averred.

Snaking under the whole mosque up to the courtyard of Buraq Wall, called by Jews Wailing Wall, the tunnel is an extension to an earlier one built in 1996.

The tunnel will run all the way under the compound reaching to Al-Selwan area which is inhabited by Palestinians, an Israeli architect was quoted by Israeli newspapers as saying.

Although no licenses were granted or details drawn for the plan to begin, finances are already on hand.

A well-heeled Jewish American donated eight million dollars for the project to come into reality, a source in Western Jerusalem Development Company said.

The wall and much of the area around it are Waqf property (a religiously and legally protected endowment), owned by Muslims since centuries ago.

The Buraq Wall forms the base of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, encompassing the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque.

Israeli occupation forces had been digging under the holy Islamic compound in search for Solomon Temple which Jews claim had been demolished by the Babylonians in 586 BC and should be built again.

Huge Process 

The plot includes a large digging process under the main courtyard where Muslim worshippers pray. The floor of the mosque – then standing under a large hole – is to be pinned to columns.

The Israeli architect said the project is to be implemented on three stages that would end with the tunnel under the Buraq Wall.

Although no agreements were reached with the Islamic Waqfs authority, this would not hinder efforts to begin the digging, he said.

Residents of occupied Jerusalem maintain that the aim of the new tunnel is only to protect Jews.

"It would save the Jewish worshippers if disturbances erupted in Haram Al-Sharif," said one of the local inhabitant.

Some 65 Palestinians and 15 Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes which flared up after the inauguration of the first tunnel in 1996.

Early in August, three right-wing Israeli MPs tried to use their parliamentary privilege to enter the compound but police prevented them.

Al-Aqsa Intifada broke out on September 28, 2000, in the wake of a provocative visit to the mosque by the then opposition leader Ariel Sharon.

‘Historic’ Dream 

The Western Jerusalem Development Company said the project is a realization of an all-time historic dream for Jews.

It is also an attempt to increase the number of Jewish tourists which plunged down after turbulence triggered by the inauguration of the first tunnel in 1996.

The Israeli Ministry of Religions attaches a major religious and national significance to the project.

As it is now banned from entering Al-Haram Al-Sharif for excavations, the tunnel will allow this to be carried out of the Buraq Wall, said rabbi Shamwael Rubeinbich of Wailing Wall Legacy Fund.

Established in 1988, the Fund is now taking over the maintenance of the wall and is behind the project, said Yediot Ahronot newspaper.

The fund’s members do not conceal their intentions for Israel to have sovereignty over Al-Haram Al-Sharif and destroying the Islamic district in the Old City.

In May, Israeli Supreme Court rejected a petition, submitted every year by the extremist Temple Mount Faithful group, seeking permission to symbolically place a foundation stone for a new Solomon Temple.