Excavation incites Riot

New Israeli renovation work has caused an uproar at one of Islam's most sacred sites, the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Shortly after Friday prayers worshippers clashed with riot police after Israel began work on a hill near al-Maghariba gate, to build a road for Jewish settlers. The hill serves as one of the entrances to the mosque. The Waqf trust, those in charge of the compound, said that two undergound rooms adjacent to the mosque will have their foundation compromised should the 'renovation' go ahead. Tensions between the Palestinians and the Isreali government are rising; a similar renovation in 2004 by the Israelis caused a cave-in on the path to the Maghariba gate. I'm speculating that this renovation may be no more than a ploy to incite anger and cause the Palestinians to do something that Israel can respond to with more-than-ample force. Let's pray that won't be the case.

Reports have also surface that the work is actually an excavation, for historic artefacts believed to be buried there. There's even a suggestion to install cameras so that people can watch the work to make sure nothing shady is occuring. Will those cameras be removed after the excavation? Or will there existence be forgotten in the ongoing occupation. Sounds like a jail to me. Now let me throw something else into the mix. The annexation of the mosque and compound is illegal under international law. Israeli authorities are not suppose to be anywhere near it. Imagine someone breaking into your home, setting up their own security cameras, and watching what goes on. The idea is absurd. To you and I it's ridiculous. For the Palestinians, it's just another day under the occupation.

And as for those rubber bullets being used. Let me break it down for you.

Rubber Bullets = not Rubber Bullets.