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APN letter to Secretary Rice

"We are writing to urge you to intervene urgently to stop the destabilizing activities currently being undertaken in Jerusalem adjacent to the Temple Mount/al Aqsa Mosque compound (known to Muslims as the Haram al Sharif)."

February 8, 2007

Dear Secretary Rice:

On behalf of Americans for Peace Now (APN), we are writing to urge you to intervene urgently to stop the destabilizing activities currently being undertaken in Jerusalem adjacent to the Temple Mount/al Aqsa Mosque compound (known to Muslims as the Haram al Sharif). APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization whose mission is to enhance Israel's security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

Jerusalem's Old City, and in particular the Temple Mount, is holy to Jews, Muslims, and Christians worldwide. Past Israeli actions that were perceived as efforts to change the status quo in the Old City - such as the opening of the Hasmonean Tunnel in 1996 or the visit to the Temple Mount by Ariel Sharon in 2000 - triggered violence and protest not only in Israel and the West Bank/Gaza, but throughout the region.

As you are no doubt aware, Israel is currently carrying out excavations adjacent to the Temple Mount compound. This work is reportedly in preparation for construction of a new access bridge to the compound, intended to replace the centuries-old Mughrabi Gate access ramp, which has fallen into disrepair. Unfortunately, rather than preserving and respecting the delicate and longstanding status quo in this extremely sensitive area, the current Israeli plan envisions greatly expanding this access route onto the Temple Mount compound. This project, if implemented, would mark the first time since 1967 that Israel has directly altered the status quo on the Temple Mount compound.

The project has been criticized by many prominent Israelis and denounced by leaders across the region and the world. It also appears to be illegal even under Israel law, lacking the proper permits to proceed. Moreover, it has been criticized by top Israeli archeologists who view it as compromising archeology in order to cater to Jewish extremists - extremists who harbor dangerous aspirations with respect to the Temple Mount and who have a long history of attempting provocative actions in this area.

What happens in Jerusalem does not stay in Jerusalem. Rather, it can have an enormous impact on attitudes and events elsewhere - not only in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, but throughout the region and the world. For the sake of U.S. vital interests, including concern for Israel and for security and stability in the region, we urge you to intervene with effective diplomacy to stop this reckless and irresponsible enterprise. Clearly, Israel has the right, and even the obligation, to ensure safe access onto the Temple Mount compound via the Mughrabi Gate. However, consistent with both with longstanding practice and political common sense, any new construction project in the area should be undertaken only with full transparency, in consultation and with the agreement of all interested parties.

Sincerely,

Franklin Fisher
Chair
Americans for Peace Now

Debra DeLee
President & CEO
Americans for Peace Now