All the confirmations we were given from the police in advance were canceled during the tour, according to the Waqf's demands. The media were not allowed to enter the Mount, we were not allowed to take any pictures, and the subterranean structures were banned from us. I was very disappointed from the MKs, because they didn't insist that the police would provide them these basic rights.
These pictures where taken in spite the
Waqf prohibition, which was guaranteed by 10 Waqf men who were constantly
watching us. I have managed to click the camera from time to time without
them noticing me. Eventually I was noticed and the Waqf men ask me to deliver
him my camera. I refused and they told the policemen that were with us
(many senior officers joined this tour). Raanan Tal, police commander of
the old city, demanded me to put the camera in my bag. I did what he asked
me to, but then he raised his hand on me and pushed me forward. He threatened
to expel me out of the Mount.
Unfortunately we were not allowed to enter the subterranean structures, which our knowledge regarding the construction and destruction in these places is almost none.
In the video taken 10 days before, many
construction materials were seen spread around the area. But in the tour
it seemed like the area was 'fixed up' before we came. Later on in the
pictures I've noticed that many construction materials were moved to the
northeastern section of the Mount.
The construction of the pit that was dug
in late 1999 is almost done. It has become an entrance to the new mosque
that was built in 'Solomon's Stables'. On the left there are remains of
a vault that is a continuation from the most eastern vault of Solomon's
Stables. According the way this vault is constructed we should date it
to the Medieval era. More vault like this were disassembled in the previous
dig (check out picture 4). But now they have begun to disassemble this
one as well. This is our last chance to conduct and archaeological dig
that might teach us a lot about the area north from the Solomon's stables.
The western part of the new mosque entrance
(the pit).
Construction work near the eastern wall
of the Temple Mount.
These piles of sand were probably brought
to the Mount for paving work.
This area was full of trees, but now it
was prepared for new construction.
Ancient pillars, columns and more stones
were filtered out from the debris and are kept on the Mount. The Waqf is
not allowing archaeologist to examine these relics.
A roof of one of the new constructions
that were recently built. This structure is about 70m west from the eastern
wall.
Another structure that is currently in
construction.
This picture was taken from a distance,
because IAA director, Amir Drori, said that there is nothing to see ahead.
Later on, when I went through the pictures I realized that there are many
construction materials in that area, so I zoomed in the picture.
Many piles of stone and debris are spread
around the eastern side of the Temple Mount.
Many ancient masonry stones. The one in
the middle (with a black plastic bag on it) seems interesting. It needs
some checking to determine what it is.
A construction container and mechanical
construction equipment.