PM approves work on Western Wall section in Muslim quarter of Old City, informs Jordan — report

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval, renovation and maintenance work has begun on the “Little Western Wall,” a section of the Western Wall located in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

Netanyahu authorized the work through the National Security Council due to the political sensitivity of the area with regard to Jordan, the report says. As such, it says, Israel issued an official update to the Jordanian government a few hours before the work began.

Jordan views itself as a custodian of the Temple Mount and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, a status Israel does not recognize.

The “Little Western Wall” is considered the second closest place outside of the Temple Mount to the location of the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple and is thus granted a special sacred status by Jews.

The renovation and maintenance work had long been needed, but was delayed because senior political leadership had yet to approve it, according to Kan. The several months of discussions leading up to the authorization included representatives from the NSC, the police, and the Shin Bet, the report says, citing a minister briefed on the details.