Turkish team inspects controversial Jerusalem dig
Pastor Dale Morgan
Turkish team inspects controversial Jerusalem dig*
Reuters
Wednesday, March 21, 2007; 9:30 AM
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A team of Turkish experts inspected an Israeli
excavation in Jerusalem on Wednesday that Muslims fear could damage one
of Islam's holiest sites.
Israel's archaeological dig is taking place 50 meters (165 feet) from
the religious compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to
Jews as Temple Mount. The work has sparked protests and concern in
Muslim nations, including in Turkey.
About six Turkish officials toured the area briefly with Turkey's consul
general in Jerusalem, Ercan Ozer.
"The delegation came here to examine the situation on the ground," Ozer
said. "They are going to ... present a report to the Turkish prime
minister, and it will be published later."
Ali Guney, deputy head of mission at Turkey's consulate in Jerusalem,
said the delegation's visit was "purely technical" and should not be
seen as political.
Muslims fear the dig, aimed at salvaging artifacts before the planned
construction of a walkway leading up to the complex, will harm the
compound, which houses the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosques and
overlooks Judaism's Western Wall.
Israel says the excavation, which began last month, will not cause
damage to the complex, where many Jews believe the two biblical Jewish
temples once stood. It installed internet video cameras at the site soon
after the work began.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed last month in Ankara that a Turkish
team could inspect the site. U.N. experts, who visited it last month,
have called for the work to stop, and proceed only under international
supervision.