UNESCO to call for immediate halt to Temple
Mount dig
| The Paris-based
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) team will publish the conclusions in its report investigating
the excavations near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Reports concerning the findings suggest the experts have come
to agree with the Israeli stand, maintaining that no damage had
been caused to the Temple Mount parameter and that the excavations
pose no threat to the stability of the holy compound.
The special UN team determined that the works carried out by Israel
comply with international standards for culturally significant
sites. However, the report includes a call on Israel to halt excavation,
which caused disappointment in the Foreign Ministry.
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FULL STORY at
UN: Israel Did Not Damage Temple Mount
Israeli works did not damage Temple Mount, UN says
UN experts: Mugrabi Gate dig meets international
standards
Sources in the UN said the report, which will be published
on Wednesday, accepts Israel's claims that the excavations do not harm the
Temple Mount compound, and support the legality of the work.
However, the report criticizes Israel's choice to carry out the excavation
independently, without including international bodies in the plans, and
calls on Israel to temporarily halt the excavation immediately to allow
continued international supervision.
The report also calls on Israel to quit
acting alone with regards to the dig at the Mugrabi Gate, so that international
bodies can supervise and participate in the continuation of the work in
the area.
FULL STORY at
UNESCO: Dig not harming Temple Mt
UNESCO says Jerusalem dig
not damaging Temple Mount