(Communicated by the Jerusalem Municipality Spokesman)
The Mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lupolianski, together with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi for the Kotel and Holy Places, decided last night to allow public discussion of the plans to construct the Mugrabi ramp at the planning and construction committees. This is due to the sensitivity of the plan and following meetings and discussions with representatives from eastern Jerusalem who asked to review the plans and voice their opinions. The decision was made after conferring with Attorney General Meni Mazuz, the planning authorities at the Jerusalem Municipality, the city engineer, and delegates and mukhtars from eastern Jerusalem.
It should be noted that despite this decision, the archeological salvage works being carried out by the Israel Antiques Authority, scheduled to go on for several months, will continue while public discussion at the planning committees begins.
Over the past several days, Mayor Lupolianski and Rabbi Rabinowitz held meetings and discussions with various representatives from eastern Jerusalem. The Mayor assured them that he will allow open discussion with full disclosure in order to make it clear that there is no intention to enter the Temple Mount or cause any damage to it.