Such work was a source of controversy earlier this year when the Waqf began its work on the stables to widen the entrance gate to the area to create an emergency exit for the many visitors to Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Waqf was also accused of dumping large amounts of dirt in the Kidron stream, and fears were raised that ancient artifacts dating back to the First and Second Temple eras were being destroyed by the work. The current spate of work is being carried out without the Antiquities Authority's supervision, as is required by law. Heavy trucks have also been seen in the area, despite promises by Public Security Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami that such vehicles would not be allowed into the area.
Sources suspect it is being used for storage.
Preparatory work on the subterranean area has almost been completed, as has the preparatory work for the large entrance that necessitated the Waqf digging up the Temple Mount at the northern wall of Solomon's Stables. Haim Ramon met over the weekend with Antiquities Department head Amir Drori, Jerusalem Police Commander Yair Yitzhaki and representatives of the Attorney General's Office and the police's legal adviser to discuss the work. The Waqf currently wishes to commence other construction work on the holy site, and this issue was also raised at the meeting. Ramon will meet today with representatives from a new nonpolitical public organization that seeks to put an end to the destruction of antiques buried in the Temple Mount. This archaeological crime in insufferable.