Temple Mount is in danger of collapsing !!

Fears severe structural damage could cause “Solomon’s Stables” to crumble, burying thousands of Moslem worshippers. Waqf refusing to limit number of people allowed on site during Ramadan.

From estimates made as of late among senior defense officials, Israel is concerned that the area on the Temple Mount known as “Solomon’s Stables” would collapse and bury thousands of Moslem worshipers who are expected to arrive at the Mount during the month of Ramadan. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has already instructed officials to take every measure in order to prevent such a disaster from unfolding.

In three weeks, scores of worshipers are to arrive at the Temple Mount, with many opting for the area of “Solomon’s Stables”, an underground space on the east side of the Mount. Eight years ago, the Moslem Waqf turned the area into a mosque and concentrated the worshipers on two main plateaus: on the ground level and on the roof.

The unsupervised digging carried out under the site, together with a heavy set of tiles constructed on its upper plateau, the effect of regional earthquakes and the ‘wear and tear’, have turned the area into a very dangerous spot as the levels and walls shifted, creating cracks in the supporting pillars.

The Waqf has forbidden Israeli engineers from entering the area in order to estimate the risk. However, a report by the Israel Antiquities Authority, which is based on findings of an Egyptian delegation of engineers, stated that there is an immediate risk that “Solomon’s Stables” would collapse.

According to the report, the time period until the start of Ramadan on October 14 does not enable setting up a structural boost at the site.

On average, over 50,000 worshipers arrive at the Mount on every given day of the Ramadan. However, the main concern is from the first Friday prayers and the “Lilat al-Kadar” prayer (the day on which, according to ritual, Mohammad received the Koran) of the Ramadan, during which approximately 250,000 flock to the Temple Mount.

Israel has already turned to the Waqf and warned of the impending disaster. However, in spite of Israel’s insistent pleading, the Waqf has refused to limit the number of worshipers at “Solomon’s Stables” during Ramadan prayers.

According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli warnings are only meant to reduce the number of worshipers who would arrive at the Mount during the Ramadan.

As a last resort, the Jerusalem police chief, Commissioner Ilan Franko, together with the commander of the “David” District that is responsible for the area, Sub Commissioner Nisso Shaham, arrived at Jordan last week in an attempt to exert pressure on the Waqf.

However, it is believed that their attempts had been unsuccessful. Defense officials admit that the dilemma is not at all simple: on the one hand, an attempt to forcefully prevent worshipers from arriving at the Mount could cause severe riots. On the other hand, if the site collapses, it would be regarded in the Moslem world as an Israeli scheme.