Posted on 11/18/2005 7:49:54 AM PST by Blogger
Walls of Jerusalem's Old City in danger of collapse
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Large sections of the 16th century walls surrounding Jerusalem's Old City are in danger of collapse unless they undergo immediate restoration.
According to an engineering survey conducted by the Israeli Antiquities Authority, 380 metres (yards), or one-tenth, of the walls' extension are in immediate danger of collapse, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Friday.
The survey showed 11 sections of the stone wall needing attention, most of them located along the northern stretch, which flanks the Muslim quarter, and the southern stretch, which skirts the Jewish quarter.
The area in most need of work is the section which flanks the southern supporting wall of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam.
The site also houses the ruins of the ancient Jewish temple, the most sacred spot in Judaism, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly called attention to a bulge in the southern supporting wall of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, provoking tensions between the Jewish and Muslim communities.
"The examination shows that the signs of cracking and crumbling, which are evidence of structural problems, have increased and become more widespread," the report said. "New cracks were also revealed in the southern wall (of the mosque compound), which shows evidence of movement in the entire wall."
Another 29 sections of the wall, extending a total of 1,280 metres, are also in danger of collapse, but the threat is not quite so imminent, the report said.
The Old City is divided culturally and historically into four parts -- the Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim quarters.
Built by Suleiman the Magnificent between 1536-1541, the Old City walls stretch a total length of 3.8 kilometres (2.3 miles).
Seven gates in the wall lead into the Old City -- Jaffa, Damascus, Herod's, Zion, Dung, Lion's and New gates. An eighth, the Golden Gate, is sealed off.
© Copyright Agence France-Presse. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Agence France-Presse.
11/18/2005 09:55 AFP
Is this the annual required post? Seems they have released this news every year for the past 4-5 years.
So if the wall falls down, the mosque might collapse?
Seems that way - bad part is it will be seen by Moslems as Israels' doing.
Iran will probably try to launch against Israel long before that happens, though.
You don't honestly believe that the faithfull of Iran would launch a missle against islams' third holies site, do you?
(Ever notice how every dung heap in the middle east is islams third, forth , twelfth holiest site?
And the walls have been crumbling. It's news when it is dealing with the Temple Mount. It'll be the latest "excuse" to hate Israel, even though they aren't to blame.
No, I believe they would TRY to launch against the nation of Israel (target probably Tel Aviv)>
But we KNOW that God would never allow a successful Moslem attack against Israel - the Bible tells us that (yet again) Israel will be saved miraculously.
Really
If it's in the name of allah, they will do anything.
Someone needs to sue the Italians then and make them come and fix it -- force them to pay reparations too.
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