Posted on 11/29/2007 12:42:03 PM PST by Esther Ruth
PA official: Olmert lying about Temple Mount
Israeli PM claims holy site not up for talks, but Palestinians say he has already agreed to forfeiture
Aaron Klein, WND Published: 11.29.07, 18:25 / Israel News
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's statements on Wednesday that Israel's sovereignty over the Temple Mount is not up for negotiation are "false," according to a chief Palestinian negotiator, who told WND the Israeli leader already agreed to forfeit Judaism's holiest site to a coalition of Arab countries.
"What Olmert said (regarding the Mount) is absolutely false. I think he's not yet ready to tell the Israeli public and is waiting for the right time and he fears his coalition with religious extremists will fall apart if he announces it now," said a senior Palestinian negotiator Thursady on condition his name be withheld.
The chief Palestinian negotiator said in months leading up to Annapolis the Palestinian team was "surprised" by Olmert's willingness to give up the Mount.
"We had intense debates on many topics, which remain open and unsettled, but the Harem Al-Sharif (Temple Mount) is not a sticking point. The Israelis didn't argue with us. We were pleasantly surprised Olmert didn't debate about giving the lower section of the Mount either, which was a sticking point in the past."
According to the chief Palestinian negotiator, Olmert agreed to evacuate the Mount but not to turn it over to the Palestinians alone. The negotiator said both sides agreed the Temple Mount would be given to joint Egypt, Jordan and Palestinian Authority control.
He said the Israeli government felt an umbrella group of several Arab countries controlling the holy site instead of only the PA would help ease Israeli domestic opposition to giving up the Temple Mount, since Egypt and Jordan are considered by Israeli policy to be moderate countries.
'Talks will address all issues' The Palestinian negotiator pointed out Israeli prime ministers previously denied withdrawal plans only to later carry them out. Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, elected on a platform against evacuating territory, denied for his first year in office he would retreat from the Gaza Strip but in 2005 he carried out a Gaza withdrawal.
In a briefing to reporters yesterday, Olmert claimed Israel's sovereignty over the Temple Mount is not up for discussion. He said negotiations started at this week's Annapolis summit had no bearing on the situation on the Temple Mount.
At the start of Tuesday's summit, President Bush read a joint declaration agreed to by Olmert and PA President Mahmoud Abbas committing the two to launch immediate negotiations aimed at "two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side."
The parties said they would aim to conclude an agreement before Bush leaves office next year, with Israel widely expected to evacuate large swaths of the West Bank and speculation about eastern sections of Jerusalem, handing Abbas the strategic territories. Israel recaptured the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, in 1967.
"The negotiations will address all of the issues which we have thus far avoided dealing with," said Olmert on Tuesday. "I am convinced that the reality that emerged in our region in 1967 will change significantly. I know this. Many of my people know this. We are prepared for it."
They should fence it and deny muslims until casinos are built in Mecca.
“What Olmert said (regarding the Mount) is absolutely false. I think he’s not yet ready to tell the Israeli public and is waiting for the right time and he fears his coalition with religious extremists will fall apart if he announces it now,” said a senior Palestinian negotiator Thursady on condition his name be withheld.
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Olmert can’t just give away the Temple Mount. I think the people would stone him to death.
I’m not sure in what sense Israel owns the Temple Mount now. As I understand it Jews can’t go there and pray. Seems to me Muslims already “own” it.
If any of this is true, then Ohlmert needs to be strung up by his heels. The only peace the arabs are interested in is one where the Jews are driven out of Israel and exterminated.
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"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
So much for the “Road to Peace” and the Annapolis Conference, it’s back to business as usual.
You are partly right, partly wrong...I visited the Temple Mount 2 years ago. Jews are allowed up there, but the Orthodox don't go because they do not want to accidentally desecrate the Holy of Holies by walking on it (since it is not known precisely where it was). Many Jews (Orthodox and otherwise) pray at the Western Wall and in the excavated areas that have exposed portions of the walls from Herod's time--not on the Mount itself.
Concerning prayer on the Mount: we (a group of Christians) were told not to pray in an obvious manner (folded hands, bowed heads, etc.) as we would be asked to leave by the Muslim police patrolling the Mount area if we did so. I assume the same would happen to any Jews who appeared to be praying.
Muslims think they own everything. They’re just waiting to take title.
The people would be justified in such an action.
If Olmerde gives up the Temple Mount, the Israeli mob should storm his house and tear him limb from limb.
The last time "moderate" Jordan controlled Jerusalem, they pulled Jewish gravestones from the ground and made roads out of them.
By that measure, ownership could change in 30 seconds by simply deploying troops to seize control
The Israelis biggest mistake was to not just demolish the mosque when they captured the site
we (a group of Christians) were told not to pray in an obvious manner (folded hands, bowed heads, etc.) as we would be asked to leave by the Muslim police patrolling the Mount area if we did so.
That's despicable.
The Temple Mount is not the only thing that crook is lying about.
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