Reply #5: Jerusalem opens Muslim Quarter Jewish site to prayer, upsetting status quo

[azurnoir]

The Jerusalem Development Authority recently removed scaffolding in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, disrupting the sensitive status quo in the area around the Western Wall. The authority, controlled by the Jerusalem municipality and by several ministries, removed scaffolding from under an arch supporting Palestinian homes in the Little Western Wall plaza (also known as the Little Kotel plaza ).

The move was carried out to make more room in the plaza for Jewish prayer and other events.

The courtyard faces a small of section of the western support wall of the Temple Mount. The largest open section of that same wall is known as the Western Wall.

Although the Israeli government never declared the Little Kotel plaza as a holy site, it is considered the second closest spot (after the Western Wall Tunnel ) to the "Holy of Holies," which was the most sacred place for Jews in the temple.

The right-wing organization Ateret Cohanim, headed by Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, has been demanding for years that the scaffolding be removed to make room for prayer and other events, despite residents' objections. The Waqf (the Muslim religious trust ) has specifically warned against the removal of the scaffolds and opening the site to prayer gatherings, threatening a strong response.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/jerusalem-opens-muslim-quarter-jewish-site-to-prayer-upsetting-status-quo-1.336881?localLinksEnabled=false