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Monday, January 23, 2006
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Old City Walls Could Collapse
Large sections of the 16th century walls surrounding Jerusalem’s Old City are in
danger of collapse unless they undergo immediate restoration, according to an
engineering survey conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The work is
expected to cost $12 million.
The survey found that 380 meters (415 yards), or one-tenth of the city walls,
are structurally weak. Most of the 11 sections of wall in need of attention are
located along the Moslem and Jewish Quarters. Built by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman
the Magnificent between 1536-1541, the Old City walls stretch for 2.3 miles (3.8
km.).
One especially problematic area borders the southern supporting wall of the
Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. This worries Israeli officials
because the mount is home to the Mosque of Al Aksa, the third holiest place in
Islam. Should the mosque collapse, the Islamic world would no doubt blame Israel
and possibly launch a holy war.
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