Jerusalem City Hall planners on Sunday gave their stamp of approval to the new bridge intended to provide access to Har HaBayis, the Temple Mount.

An earthquake compromised the integrity of the old bridge, which led to much controversy as Israel attempted to create new facts on the ground – igniting the ongoing struggle between Israel and the Muslim Waqf as to who indeed controls the holiest site to Am Yisrael, which is also claimed by the Muslim world.

Attempts to implement repairs in the old bridge last year sparked Arab protests and violence, setting the Islamic propaganda machine into motion, accusing Israel of trying to compromise Islam’s holiest site.

The new bridge takes archaeological findings in the area into account.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)