Israel advances 5-year plan to develop Western Wall area

Beginning next year, project will include upgraded infrastructure, archaeological activity and development of the site and underground tunnels

By AP 19 May 2015, 6:14 pm Edit

The Western Wall plaza with the Temple Mount in the background, as thousands of visitors arrive in the Old City of Jerusalem during the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 16, 2014. (photo credit: Flash90)

Israel’s new cabinet approved a plan for development at the Western Wall, a key Jewish holy site next to Jerusalem’s most combustible area.

Past development projects in the area have sparked tensions with Palestinians, who accused Israel of threatening a compound that is holy to both Muslims and Jews.

The five-year plan, beginning next year, will include upgraded infrastructures, archaeological activity and development of the Western Wall site and underground tunnels that follow the length of the wall, a remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple complex.

In 1996, the opening of an exit from the tunnels into a Muslim area of the city sparked bloody riots.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced the plan Tuesday. It says a detailed plan will be presented to the cabinet within two weeks.