Since 2004, archeological excavations in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem have been carried out underneath the structure known as 'Isaac's Tent'. The excavations are taking place without an excavation permit and without permission from the archeological council.  They are being defined as stabilizing excavations despite the fact that they are not connected to any construction taking place on the building above.

The excavation site will constitute a tourist attraction, connecting the Western Wall tunnels with 'Isaac's Tent'.  Also, an educational center and an underground museum will be built on the site.  The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the body behind theinitiative, is a governmental non-profit organization which is responsible for the management of the Western Wall plaza, and which is closely tied to the settler community in East Jerusalem.

As mentioned earlier, the excavation plan was not entrusted to public scrutiny and was not approved by the statutory institutions of construction planning.  Furthermore, the Palestinian residents of the Muslim Quarter, under whose houses the excavations are taking place, have not given their agreement to any kind of building under their houses.

The border area of the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif is one of the most sensitive places in the world, if not the most explosive.  Any building and especially excavating in the area, requires careful judgment and great caution.  In a situation where public interests are so clearly involved - regionally and internationally - actions should be taken only after serious scrutiny by security forces and a subsequent final decision by the most senior of government officers.

Additional Information:

Map of the 'Isaac's Tent' tunnel excavation Map of the burrow system in Jerusalem Jewish group asks AG to halt dig in Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter - an article by Meron Rapoport