Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday delayed plans at the last minute to
start rebuilding the Mughrabi Bridge linking the Western Wall Plaza to the
Temple Mount because of Egyptian and Jordanian concerns, Channel 2 reported
Sunday.
According to the report, work on the bridge – which received
approval in March – was to have begun early Sunday morning. The initial work of
demolishing the existing structure would have necessitated the deployment of
large IDF and security forces in Jerusalem and around the Temple Mount, as well
as stepped-up army preparedness in the West Bank.
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Channel 2 reported
Cairo and Amman warned Jerusalem the work would likely lead to “disruptions” in
both Jordan and Egypt.
Officials in both the Prime Minister’s Office and
the Jerusalem Municipality refused Sunday night to comment on the
reports.
Previous work on the bridge caused widespread rioting in
neighborhoods throughout the Jerusalem area and in Jordan.
Jordan’s Awkaf
Islamic Affairs and Holy Places Ministry warned that were Israel to begin to
take down the Mughrabi Bridge, the move would likely ignite protests throughout
Jordan, which could eventually spread to the West Bank, according to the Channel
2 report.
Under the plans, a permanent bridge is to be built to replace
the current temporary wooden structure that has been in use since a 2003
earthquake and winter storm caused part of the original bridge to collapse. The
bridge is used as the main entry point for non-Muslim tourists and security
forces entering the Temple Mount.
Jeremy Sharon contributed to this
report.
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